by Charlene Muhammad

SAN DIEGO (FinalCall.com)�A single-engine plane transporting three Muslims plummeted into the ocean just off the coast of San Diego on Dec. 25, killing Celina Muhammad, 29, of Inglewood, Calif., who died before rescuers could get to the scene.

Her husband, Edward Muhammad, was still missing; and pilot Jamal Muhammad, 26, who survived the crash and spent several days in an intensive care unit, was scheduled to be released from the hospital at Final Call presstime. All three were members of the Nation of Islam�s Muhammad Mosque No. 27 in Los Angeles.

The plane, a Cessna 172N, departed from McClellan-Palomar Airport en route to Hawthorne Airport when Bro. Jamal, a licensed pilot, reported engine trouble to air traffic controllers. Shortly thereafter, the plane crashed into 60-degree waters.

According to his mother Syreeta Muhammad, Bro. Jamal recalled pulling his companions from the wreckage immediately after the plane went down. It was only days later that Bro. Jamal was told about the fate of his friends, Sis. Syreeta said.

Muslims from the Los Angeles, Watts, Compton, Long Beach, Moreno Valley, Pomona, San Diego, Riverside and other nearby areas held a prayer vigil Dec. 29 at a stretch of the beach in San Onofre, Calif., not far from the crash site. Some drove over three hours to take part in the vigil, which included prayers and some tears. There was also a walk along three miles of the California coastline. Roses were placed beside photos of Sis. Celina and Bro. Edward.

Well-wishers have flooded hospital telephone lines hoping to give words of concern, hope and mostly prayers to Bro. Jamal and his family. Daily and without fail, the Fruit of Islam (Muslim men) and M.G.T.-GCC (Muslim women) from Los Angeles and San Diego have kept careful watch over Bro. Jamal and his family at the hospital. They have also monitored search efforts for Bro. Edward�s body on a daily basis.

According to Sis. Syreeta and Nation of Islam Western Region Min. Tony Muhammad, who is the family spokesperson, doctors could not believe anyone survived the crash. Bro. Jamal has a will to live that is stronger than the circumstances, Min. Tony said.

"In tragedy there�s triumph. Within bad there�s good, and the good that comes out of this, listening to brother (Jamal), call and reflect on the scriptures just reminds me of the majesty and power of Allah (God)," Min. Tony said. Bro. Jamal is another strong witness of the power of the Great Mahdi, Master Fard Muhammad, and when you call, God answers, Min. Tony added.

Min. Tony said the prayer vigil was not part of a long grieving process, but an opportunity for closure for each person. "We have to get back to the duty of our belief, but I tell you for young people like this to lose their lives, in the way that they have, it makes us want to carry on in their names," he said.

"We just want to make sure that we stick with (Bro. Jamal) and his family, and the families of Celina and Edward, through this trying moment of trying to find out what really happened to the aircraft," Min. Tony added.

Sis. Syreeta said she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and concern Bro. Jamal and the family have received from Muslims throughout the Nation of Islam. The ordeal is bittersweet, she said, reflecting on the fates of Sis. Celina and Bro. Edward, but she added that Allah (God) has a master plan.

Following the prayer vigil, Muslims were able to visit with Bro. Jamal in his hospital room. The large number of visitors overwhelmed hospital staff, and had to be divided into groups. By the elevator load they traveled from the main lobby to the outer lobby of Bro. Jamal�s suite to his room. Each person, including children, waited patiently for their turn to look at him, greet him or just squeeze his hand in a show of support. Many said, "I love you," and "We hope to have you home soon."

A surfer and officers in a San Diego County police helicopter rescued Bro. Jamal, but further details about the incident have not been released as the investigation continues.