In the wake of a devastating tragedy that has shaken the local community, San Diego faith and civic leaders are calling for unity, love, and cross-cultural solidarity. Following a violent attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD) that claimed three lives, local LGBTQ+ community pastor Rev. Alisan “Allie” Rowland is urging the public to channel their grief and outrage into compassionate action for their Muslim neighbors.
The shooting, which occurred in a sacred place of worship, left a community mourning the loss of three beloved members and left eight children without a father.
A Call for Compassion Across Barriers
Rev. Rowland, who serves as the pastor of MCC San Diego, CA, USA—affectionately known as “The Met Church”—expressed profound heartbreak over the attack. Located just blocks away from the Islamic Center in the Clairemont neighborhood, the MCC community felt the shockwave of the tragedy firsthand.
“I cannot imagine the depth of grief our neighbors are feeling,” said Rev. Rowland. “It is important, now more than ever, that we show our neighbors love and compassion just as Jesus taught us.”
Rowland noted the poignant timing of the tragedy within the Christian calendar, drawing a parallel between the need for community healing and the upcoming religious holiday.
“In the Christian tradition this Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, a day when we celebrate the sacred removal of cultural barriers and an outburst of divine communication,” Rowland explained. “My hope would be that in the aftermath of this loss, that we would embrace our common humanity. And while we work towards that, we must learn ourselves to speak across all barriers – and to listen.”
Modern Interfaith Vigil Draws Community Support
In response to the violence, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the ICSD organized an Interfaith Community Vigil at Lindbergh Neighborhood Park. The event served as a public stand against hatred in all its forms and a space to honor the victims and their families.
The vigil was held last May 19 at Lindbergh Neighborhood Park, which was organized by CAIR and the Islamic Center of San Diego.
Pastor Rowland and a contingent from The Met Church actively participated in the Tuesday evening vigil, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Muslim community and people of all faiths and backgrounds.
By bridging the LGBTQ+ and Muslim communities during a time of immense sorrow, local leaders hope to foster a long-lasting environment of mutual support and safety in the wider San Diego area.