Oman: Pakistanis and police officer killed in attack on Shia mosque in Muscat
An attack on Shia worshippers at a mosque in the Omani capital of Muscat has left at least at least six people dead and dozens of others wounded.
The Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi Kabir area of the city was targeted early on Tuesday morning when worshippers were taking part in ceremonies for Ashura.
Commemorating the killing of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Husayn ibn Ali, during the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, Ashura is one of the most important occasions in the Shia calendar.
Omani police put the death toll at five worshippers and a police officer, as well as three alleged attackers. At least four of those killed are Pakistani nationals, according to officials in Islamabad.
"According to the latest information received from the Omani authorities, four Pakistanis were martyred as a result of gunshots in the dastardly terrorist attack on the Ali bin Abi Talib mosque in Wadi Kabeer area in Muscat, Oman," the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
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"Another 30 Pakistanis are under treatment in hospitals. We remain in close contact with Omani authorities," it added, describing the attack as "dastardly".
Located on the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman has avoided sectarian strife for much of its modern history.
Statement on the concluding of the procedures for dealing with the shooting incident in the Al-Wadi Al-Kabir area.. pic.twitter.com/MgGEl8nrf6
— شرطة عُمان السلطانية (@RoyalOmanPolice) July 16, 2024
The country is predominantly Muslim with most adherents of the faith belonging to the Ibadi sect, with Sunni and Shia minorities.
The Sultanate also has smaller communities of Hindus and Christians, made up primarily of expatriate workers.
“The authorities are continuing to gather evidence and conduct investigations to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Omani security officials said in a statement posted on X.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was "deeply saddened by the terrorist attack".
In a statement on social media platform X, he said: "Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Sultanate of Oman and offers full assistance in the investigation."
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