(San Diego.  March 01,  2009 Ceegaag Online) 

The tightknit Somalian community in City Heights mourned the loss yesterday of an 82-year-old man who was fatally struck by a car while walking to an early-morning prayer service.

On street corners and at the local mosque, community members consoled each other over the death of Mohamed Abdirahman Husien, a devout Muslim who learned English late in life and was passionate about following politics.

Husien emigrated from Somalia about a decade ago to flee a civil war, family members said. A retired engine mechanic, Husien filled his days with prayers, reading books and listening to radio news.

He lived in the heart of San Diego's Somalian community, two blocks from Masjid Alnasar, a mosque on Winona Avenue. Husien was crossing University Avenue about 5 a.m. on the way to morning prayer when he was hit, family members said.

About 100 worshippers “prayed for God to give him good health,” said Mohamed Mohamud, imam at the mosque. “He was friendly with all people.”

Husien visited the mosque five times a day, friends said.

“He knew this day was going to come so he was praying and asking for forgiveness,” said Abdirisak Yussef, a second cousin.

Fadumo Osman, an 18-year-old family friend who regarded Husien as her grandfather, said he was eager to learn and would ask to read her books.

“He was a very good grandfather,” Osman said as she wiped away tears.

Osman and about a dozen others gathered at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest, where Husien died after suffering head injuries.

Police said Husien was walking across University Avenue against a red light. An unlicensed driver of a Honda sedan told police he did not see the man in the dark.

The driver, who did not speak English, picked up his wife at home, and drove back to the crash site to talk to officers, said Police Sgt. Kerry Tom. Tom said there is no information yet on whether the driver will face charges.

Eleanor Yang Su: (619) 542-4564; eleanor.su@uniontrib.com

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