San Diego, CA
Healing Hearts: San Diego Imam Guides the Muslim Community Through Grief
Imam Abdeljalil Mezgouri, a spiritual leader of the Islamic Center of San Diego in Clairemont, keeps no tissues in his office because he sees tears as an expression of mercy, encouraging people to cry openly and fully embrace their emotions without feeling the need to wipe them away or hide them.
The Moroccan-born cleric at the largest mosque in San Diego County has spent nearly 40 years counseling people through the complexities of grief, offering both theological guidance and emotional support.
In Islam, death is not seen as an end but rather as a transition to another stage of existence. The Quran, which Muslims believe is the final revelation from God, consistently reminds adherents of Islam that life on Earth is temporary. According to Mezgouri, this understanding can be a source of great comfort.
“When you were born, you came with an expiration date,” he said. “Nobody can add one minute to their life or take one away. But death is not the end of the journey; this life is our shortest chapter, and when we die, the soul splits from the body.”
Mezgouri explained how this belief removes the randomness often associated with loss and provides a framework in which grief can be understood not as a punishment but as part of divine decree. Islam teaches that the soul does not die but enters a different realm known as Al-Barzakh, a waiting period before resurrection and eternal life.
The imam emphasized that while death is inevitable, how one processes grief is crucial, distinguishing between sadness and anger.
“Sadness is natural and even the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, cried when his son died. But anger is discouraged as it questions God’s wisdom,” Mezgouri said.
Mourning from three days to months on end is encouraged, according to the imam, with family and community support playing a vital role.
Mezgouri said comforting the grieving involves being present and communicating with their heart, as healing takes time and the heart moves slower than the mind.
“If the mind moves at 100 miles an hour, the heart moves at 5 miles an hour,” he said.
The cleric frequently encounters people struggling with the weight of grief, often leading to anxiety or depression. He believes the root of much suffering lies in a misplaced focus on the past or future.
“Many people are stuck in the past, unable to move on or they live in fear of what the future holds. But life is in the moment,” Mezgouri said.
To help people cope, he emphasizes the Islamic concept of Qadr (predestination).
“God already knows what will happen and everything is according to his wisdom. Trusting in God’s plan brings peace,” Mezgouri said.
He critiques secular approaches to grief that rely solely on medication or behavioral therapy, arguing that without faith, healing remains incomplete.
“A pill can numb pain, but it doesn’t address the root cause,” he said. “True healing comes when the heart accepts God’s decree.”
A great strength of the Muslim approach to grief is the support provided by the community, according to Mezgouri. The Islamic tradition encourages family and friends to rally around those who have lost a loved one. Condolence visits, prayer gatherings and acts of charity in the name of the deceased are ways in which the community offers comfort.
The imam stressed that staying connected to faith through prayer, reading the Quran and engaging in acts of kindness can help alleviate grief.
“By remembering God and serving others, we find healing,” he said.
Despite the pain of loss, Mezgouri assures the grieving that God’s mercy is vast and that the trials of this world are temporary.
“This life is not the resting place; it is the testing place,” he said. “The resting place is eternal life.”
Mezgouri explained both good and bad events serve as tests from God to gauge our responses. He emphasized that gratitude in times of blessing and patience in times of hardship are key to passing the test, as life’s challenges are inevitable.
His message is one of optimism for those struggling with grief.
“Acceptance is the key to a happy life,” Mezgouri said. “When we surrender to God’s wisdom, we find peace.”
On Thursday, the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in San Diego County recorded its largest increase since Sept. 28, 2023, rising 8.7 cents to $4.894, its highest amount since Nov. 13.
The average price has increased 15 consecutive days, rising 28.7 cents, including 7 cents on Wednesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 22.4 cents more than one week ago, 38.6 cents higher than one month ago and 14.5 cents greater than one year ago.
The average price has dropped $1.541 since rising to a record $6.435 on Oct. 5, 2022.
“Gas prices are rising primarily due to a recent surge in crude oil following strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel,” Kandace Redd, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s senior public affairs specialist, told City News Service. “Any conflict with Iran can send oil prices higher, as Iran is a major oil producer and about a fifth of the oil consumed globally travels through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.
“Gas prices are increasing because of seasonal factors too. Refineries are beginning the switch to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and demand is picking up as we head into the spring break season with more people on the road.”
The national average price rose 5.3 cents to $3.251, its highest amount since Sept. 11, 2024. It has risen five consecutive days, increasing 26.9 cents, including 8.9 cents on Wednesday.
The national average price is 26.8 cents more than one week ago, 36 cents higher than one month ago and 14.4 cents greater than one year ago. It has dropped $1.765 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.
UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)
San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.
The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.
The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.
San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.
The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.
Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.
Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.
The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.
Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.
Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.
The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.
As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.
The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.
Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”
Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Copyright 2026, City News Service, Inc.
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