Bismillahi Ar-Rahmani Ar-Raheem.
May Allah protect all believers in His All-Embracing Safety and Sanctuary.
The members of the Islamic Council of New England express their strong sympathy and solidarity with the brothers and sisters affected by the horrendous attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego, today May 18, 2026 because of unchecked Islamophobia.
May Allah accept immediately into Jannah / Paradise those who have lost their lives to senseless violence on the first day of the holy month of Al Hijjah. Our faith reminds us we come from God in birth and we must all return to God in death. “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un”. (From Allah we come and to Allah we return.)
May Allah give strength to the surviving family members. May Allah give a quick recovery to all those who were injured.
May Allah protect us all from hatred that leads to violence. May Allah help us convey to those who lack understanding that Islam is a faith of Mutual Respect, Peace and Tolerance. Hatred has no place in Islam, as it denies Allah’s Compassion and Mercy for all mankind regardless of faith, color, or ethnicity.
We condemn those who led two young men to such an act of Islamophobic violence through the rhetoric of hatred and marginalization of fellow members of humankind. They have been misguided through ignorance to kill others and then themselves.
May Allah lead us to greater understanding of each other. We call on the leaders of all faiths to reject divisiveness and hatred and to preach a message of tolerance and unity.
May Allah guide us.
Martin Bentz
President – Islamic Council of New England