Meet this Year’s Honorees:

Co-Host, The Young Turks (TYT)
Ana Kasparian is an American political commentator, media host, and journalist. Best known as the co-host and executive producer of The Young Turks (TYT), Kasparian has built a reputation for sharp, unfiltered digital journalism spanning broadcast, print, and online media. She has more recently gained widespread attention for her independent, "unaligned" political commentary on complex societal issues on TYT, an award-winning news and politics network, with a growing 30 million followers and 31 billion lifetime views. Kasparian's commitment to honest, straight-talking commentary earned her a place on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in 2016 and recognition from the Daily Dot as one of the Top Women of YouTube.

Actress, Director, Producer & Screenwriter
Cherien Dabis is an award-winning filmmaker, Emmy-nominated television director, and actress whose deeply human storytelling has brought underrepresented voices to the forefront of global cinema. In recognition of her singular artistic vision, Dabis received the 2025 Variety International Vanguard Director Award.
Her latest feature, All That's Left of You, premiered to critical acclaim at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and went on to earn over 30 festival awards. It was selected as Jordan's Official Submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards®, where it was shortlisted. The film also received a Best International Film nomination at the 2025 Independent Spirit Awards.

Imam & Religious Director, Islamic Center of San Diego
Imam Taha Hassane currently serves as the imam of the Islamic Center of San Diego. Hassane graduated from the Institute of Islamic Sciences at the University of Algiers in his native Algeria. He served as a high school teacher and imam in Tenes, Algeria for 10 years before coming to the United States. In the U.S., he served as a youth counselor with the Colorado Muslim Youth Foundation. In addition to his regular duties at ICSD, he provides marriage and family counseling, youth programming and Islamic educational services. Hassane holds a Masters of Theology in Islamic Studies from the Graduate Theological Foundation in South Bend, Indiana.

Amin Abdullah was a 51-year-old Muslim convert, a 10-year veteran armed security guard, and a father of eight children. He famously took up the role of guarding the mosque after being profoundly moved by the 2019 Christchurch terror attack.
During the May 2026 attack, two teenage gunmen targeted the Islamic Center of San Diego (the region's largest mosque). Abdullah acted as the primary line of defense who protected roughly 140 children and staff members inside the mosque's elementary school. We remember and honor Amin, who is the community hero’s after sacrificing his life to save 140 children who were attending school inside the mosque.

Tonight’s Program