Muslim community members are mourning brother Mansoor Kazziha, one of the victims martyred in the terror attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego.

As terror unfolded at the Islamic Center of San Diego, Brother Mansoor “Abu Izz” Kazziha reportedly made a split-second decision that would define his final moments: he moved to protect the children.

While gunfire erupted near the mosque and school, witnesses said Kazziha rushed to shield children as chaos consumed the community around him. Those who knew him say he did not run from danger — he ran toward the children.

For San Diego’s Muslim community, his death was not only the loss of a beloved elder, but the loss of a man whose entire life had been devoted to caring for others.

For decades, Kazziha served the Islamic Center of San Diego quietly and faithfully, becoming a fatherly figure to generations of worshippers, students, and families.

Community members remembered him as the gentle caretaker who was always present — opening doors, checking on people, comforting the distressed, and treating every child at the masjid as if they were his own.

Many described him as the emotional heart of the community: a man people turned to in moments of hardship, someone whose kindness made others feel safe, seen, and valued.

In the aftermath of the attack, tributes poured in describing the painful symbolism of his final act. The man who spent his life protecting and nurturing the community died doing exactly that — shielding its children from harm.

His story has deeply moved Muslims across the country, with many praying that Allah accepts Brother Mansoor “Abu Izz” Kazziha among the martyrs and grants comfort and patience to all who loved him.

Even in death, the legacy he leaves behind is one of courage, compassion, and selfless devotion to others.