Jordanians hold vigil: Mourners in South San Francisco honor pilot Muath Al-Kasaesbeh killed by Islamic State

Sameer Zeidan, president of the association, said the vigil was successful in bringing together a cross section of the local residents who stood in solidarity to support the Jordanian community.

“The main goal of the event was basically to express our condolences to the families of the victims,” said Zeidan.

Nearly 250 people participated in the event, including members of the Jordanian American Association, as well as members of communities from countries such as Syria, Palestine, Egypt and the United States, said Zeidan.

Mwafak Ibrahim, who helped found the South San Francisco organization in 1984, said he had never seen the Jordanian community so unified.

“There is no more room for opinions. The one thing in mind is that the world unites to get rid of this organization that is a threat to the whole world,” said Ibrahim.

Ibrahim said that people from communities across the Bay Area, as far south as San Jose, came to support the event on Saturday, and even some supporters from Sacramento.

“It was peaceful, but it was very emotional,” he said. “There was a sense of pride mixed with some sorrow.”

He emphasized that those in attendance not only honored the life of Al-Kasaesbeh, but the lives of those from other countries killed by the Islamic State as well.

Those sentiments were echoed by Zeidan, who said he also hoped the event would help spread awareness and compel other communities to be proactive in battling the terrorist organization.

“We want other countries to be more involved in the fight against ISIS,” he said.

Zeidan said there are nearly 1,400 active members of the Jordanian American Association Centre in South San Francisco. The group puts on a variety of philanthropic events during the year, such as toy drives for underprivileged families during the holiday season, and also offers a social outlet for local members of the Jordanian community to gather and celebrate their culture.

During the vigil, mourners gathered to walk together, sing songs and give speeches about the conflict with the Islamic State, as well as honoring the lives of those who died.

Zeidan said there was a consensus that the fashion which the Islamic State killed Al-Kasaesbeh, by setting him on fire, was exceptionally disturbing.

“None of us knew the pilot personally, but what made it so personal to us was the way that they killed him,” Zeidan said. “It was beyond cruel. It was something that you would not imagine in the 21st century. It was sad, but it also angered the entire country of Jordan.”

Zeidan also expressed his, and the association’s, support for King Abdullah of Jordan in his public campaign fighting ISIS.

“We are behind him 100 percent with his decision making, with his leadership,” Zeidan said.

Ibrahim noted that there were practitioners of a variety of faiths who attended the event , including Catholic priests, who spoke in favor of solidarity between all religions and communities.

Zeidan said that despite the abhorrent nature of the crimes perpetrated by the Islamic State, he still hopes for a positive resolution of the conflict.

“On a personal level, I do pray for ISIS,” he said. “I hope they can see the light and be human. I pray they can stop this atrocity.”

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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