In a rare and tragic incident, six people, including a policeman, were killed and 28 others injured in a shooting attack near a Shia mosque in Oman’s capital, Muscat. The attack occurred on Monday night in the al-Wadi al-Kabir area, according to police reports. Security forces responded swiftly, killing the three attackers during the confrontation.

Incident Details

The identities of the victims and gunmen have not been disclosed, nor has a motive been provided. However, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that four of the deceased were Pakistani nationals and labeled the incident as a “terrorist attack” on the Imam Ali Mosque. The attack happened on the eve of Ashura, a significant Shia holy day.

Immediate Aftermath

Video footage from the scene showed a crowd scrambling for cover as gunshots rang out in the mosque’s courtyard. The police expressed condolences to the victims’ families and announced an ongoing investigation. They urged the public to rely on official sources for information and disregard unreliable reports.

Reactions and Assistance

Prime Minister Sharif expressed his deep sorrow over the attack and instructed the Pakistani embassy in Muscat to provide all necessary assistance to the injured. He emphasized Pakistan’s solidarity with Oman and offered full cooperation in the investigation. The Pakistani embassy identified the deceased Pakistanis as Ghulam Abbas, Hasan Abbas, Sayyed Qaisar Abbas, and Sulaiman Nawaz. Additionally, it reported that 30 Pakistanis were receiving hospital treatment.

Pakistani ambassador Imran Ali visited some of the injured at three local hospitals, describing their conditions as “relatively safe.” He advised Pakistani residents in Oman to avoid the al-Wadi al-Kabir area and cooperate with local authorities. The National, a newspaper based in Abu Dhabi, reported that at least 50 Pakistani expatriate workers were injured, with 20 being treated for bullet wounds. The attack also saw worshippers, including women and children, taken hostage and later released by armed police.

Context and Historical Significance

The attack took place on the ninth day of the Islamic month of Muharram, a time when Shia Muslims observe rituals on the eve of Ashura. Ashura commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who died in a seventh-century battle.

In the chaos of the attack, worshippers were heard shouting phrases like “O God,” “O Hussein,” and “I am here, O Hussein.” There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but supporters of the Sunni jihadist group Islamic State (IS) celebrated the attack on social media. IS has a history of targeting Shia ceremonies and worshippers in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan but has never before claimed an attack in Oman.

Oman’s Reputation and Demographics

Oman is known for its stability and security, playing a significant role in regional mediation efforts. The sultanate has a population of approximately 4.6 million, with over 40% being foreign workers. While the government does not publish religious affiliation statistics, the US State Department estimates that 95% of the population is Muslim (45% Sunni, 45% Ibadi, and 5% Shia), with Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians making up the remaining 5%.

This tragic event marks a rare occurrence in a nation generally viewed as one of the most secure in the Middle East, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among international communities to prevent such incidents in the future.