3 Steps Islamic School Leaders Can Take: Responding to the Islamic Center of San Diego Shooting
Yesterday’s shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, which has a co-located Islamic school, has deeply impacted Muslim communities across the country. Three beloved community members who served and protected the masjid and school community are no longer in this world after two attackers opened fire in a suspected hate crime targeting Muslims. We pray Allah accepts them all as shuhada’ (martyrs) and grants them Jannatul Firdaus. We mourn the loss of these incredible individuals and make sincere dua for their families and community.
Islamic Center of San Diego
We also reflect on the heroism and fast thinking that prevented this from becoming an even greater tragedy. While facts are still emerging, what we do know is that Amin Abdullah, the masjid security guard, called the school once he detected the threat and told them to go into lockdown mode. We can assume that the school personnel who received this call then carried the message to other adults on campus who knew exactly how to respond.
This incident underscores a crucial point for Islamic school and masjid leaders: preparedness and fast thinking are essential in minimizing harm during a crisis situation.
In this blog post, we offer three practical steps Islamic school leaders can take to help create calm, cultivate trust, and prepare responsibly for crisis situations such as the active shooter incident that took place in San Diego. Below, you’ll also find curated resources to help communicate with stakeholders and move forward with intention and clarity.
1. Communicate Calmly and Clearly After a Crisis
Families and staff are looking to school leaders for reassurance. A brief, compassionate message acknowledging the incident and reaffirming your school’s commitment to safety and student support can help reduce anxiety.
To communicate with parents, you can use ISLA’s template to customize a letter to your school community. Be sure to add your school logo and header/footer, and fill in all highlighted sections with school-specific details. Download the final version as a PDF and share it via email, WhatsApp, or your school communication platform.
There is also a Free School Shooting Response Toolkit from Joffe Emergency Services, accessible after creating a free Joffe Academy account. The toolkit includes:
- Communication templates for families and staff
- Threat response checklists
- Guidance for talking with children about traumatic events
- A tabletop training exercise
2. Support Students’ Emotional and Spiritual Well-Being
Students may process this event differently depending on age and personal experience. Some may ask many questions, while others may become quiet or withdrawn.
Consider:
- Processing your own emotions first so you can maintain a calm demeanor and neutral language when speaking with children
- Checking in with students and staff
- Making counselors or support staff visible and accessible
- Allowing space for dua, reflection, or discussion
- Giving teachers guidance for responding to student concerns
The Tragic Event Toolkit from The FYI also offers guidance for supporting Muslim communities and individuals after traumatic events.
3. Review School Safety and Lockdown Practices Thoughtfully
Preparedness matters, but fear-based responses can unintentionally increase student anxiety. Safety education and drills should be developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed.
Two helpful resources include:
- Staying Safe: Developmentally Appropriate Safety Education
- Best Practice Guidance for School Safety and Lockdown Drills
These resources are not intended to be one-size-fits-all approaches. Every school community is different. What these resources offer are research-informed options for school leaders to review, discuss, and thoughtfully adapt to their own context.
No matter what approach your school chooses, it is crucial that school leadership is aligned on a clear, consistent plan and that staff understand how to respond during a crisis. Preparation is key to minimizing harm and protecting school communities.
Join us for a Must-Attend Webinar
Islamic school and masjid admin should plan to join this timely webinar with school safety expert, Chris Joffe, CEO of Joffe Emergency Services. Recording & Resources will be sent to registrants.
