Muslim religious leader Kamal Al-Khatib passed away on June 1, age 61.

Palmdale, Calif.- Kamal Al-Khatib passed away on June 1, age 61. He was born on May 31, 1962. He moved to Palmdale in the early 1990s.

Kamal was a real estate broker with buytome.com. He held many leadership positions over the years.

He was founder and Executive Director of the Guidance Charter School which was regularly regarded as a top-performing school.

As one of three principles with political action committee Palmdale First, he helped elect numerous candidates to elected office.

He was President of the Palmdale Sheriff's Station Community Advisory Committee. For many years, he served as organizer of the AV International Heritage Picnic.

In the 1990s, he was a founding member of the American Islamic Institute of the Antelope Valley. Kamal served as a uniting force, serving as the voice of the local Muslim community.

After being diagnosed with fourth-stage pancreatic cancer in late 2022, Kamal was laid to rest in the Muslim cemetery in Rosamond.

He is survived by his wife Zeinab, children Shadi, Dena and Rami, as well as four brothers.

Pictured are Kamal Al-Khatib,

Former Mayor of the City of Palmdale James Ledford, Former PSD Board Trustee Sandy Corrales .