Islamic Center of San Diego
San Diego, CA

Al Qaeda

Two of the 9/11 hijackers, Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi, had close ties with members of the Islamic Center of San Diego.[1] In fact, mosque members helped the two men find an apartment in San Diego,[2] obtain Social Security numbers[3] and driver's licenses,[4] buy a car,[5] and obtain funds from Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's nephew through the Islamic Center of San Diego administrator's bank account.[6]

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[1] Sarah Downey and Michael Hirsh, "A Safe Haven?" Newsweek, September 30, 2002.

[2] National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States, The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States (New York: Norton 2004), p. 219.

[3] Sarah Downey and Michael Hirsh, "A Safe Haven?" Newsweek, September 30, 2002.

[4] Sarah Downey and Michael Hirsh, "A Safe Haven?" Newsweek, September 30, 2002.

[5] Ibid.; See also The 9/11 Commission Report, Chapter 7: The Attack Looms, N.29.

[6] The 9/11 Commission Report, Chapter 7: The Attack Looms, "The Move to San Diego,"p.220.