TAMPA, Fla. — A community gathered Sunday evening to honor the life of Sayfollah Musallet, a 20-year-old local man who was tragically killed while visiting family in the West Bank. Musallet, known affectionately as Saif, was remembered as a kind and hardworking individual, deeply respected by family and friends.
Saif operated an ice cream shop on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard called “Ice Screamin.” His family described him as someone who always wore a smile and dedicated his time to his work. “Everybody knew him,” said his uncle, Ferase Ibrahim. “He was a nice kid.”
The young man’s life was cut short on Friday when he was allegedly beaten to death by Israeli settlers. His family reported that Saif was protecting his land alongside two relatives when they were surrounded for over three hours, during which emergency responders were unable to reach him. He succumbed to his injuries while en route to the hospital.
Hiba Rahim, Deputy Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Florida, expressed the deep anguish felt by the family and community. “It’s not just the loss of a family member. It’s the brutality of how he was taken from us,” Rahim said. The organization is the largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy group in the state and has called for accountability from both local and U.S. officials.
In a statement, Saif’s family described their loss as “an unimaginable nightmare.” Many from across Florida came to the Islamic Community of Tampa Mosque for a special prayer service in his memory. “We’re all shocked,” Ibrahim lamented, recalling how Saif had traveled to the West Bank to visit his mother and grandmother. “He was young. He went there for vacation, and then we hear this devastating news.”
Community leaders are demanding justice. “Just because it’s Israel doesn’t grant immunity to take the lives of our citizens,” Rahim said. She urged public officials to condemn this act and push for the arrest of those responsible for Saif’s death.
Jonathan Ellis, Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council, provided condolences to Saif’s family. “Whenever a family’s child dies, our hearts go out to them, regardless of the circumstances,” he stated. He expressed confidence that the Israeli government would thoroughly investigate the incident, highlighting a shared understanding within the community of the tragedy involved.
As the community grapples with this loss, CAIR Florida plans to hold a press conference at its headquarters in Tampa on Monday, where family members are expected to attend. They aim to further emphasize the need for U.S. government action and accountability in the aftermath of Saif’s death.