Deadly Shooting near Mosque in MuscatDeadly Shooting near Mosque in Muscat On Tuesday, tragedy struck in Muscat, Oman, as a shooting near a mosque resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to an unspecified number of others. According to the Royal Oman Police, the incident occurred in eastern Muscat’s Al-Wadi Al-Kabir area. Officials confirmed the fatalities and the ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the event. Unverified images shared by AFP captured people fleeing the Imam Ali Mosque amid the chaos. The sound of gunshots echoed in the background, while cries of “Oh God” and “Oh Hussein” could be heard from the panicked crowd. The embassy of the United States in Muscat issued a security alert, urging US citizens to exercise vigilance and adhere to local authorities’ instructions. The shooting coincides with the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, during the Battle of Karbala. Muslims worldwide observe this event this week.
Authorities initially reported that four people had been killed and “several others” injured at the mosque in eastern Muscat.
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The boulevard in the Omani capital Muscat on October 2, 2021. (AFP)
Four people were killed and others injured in a shooting near a mosque in Oman’s capital Muscat, police confirmed on Tuesday.
“The Royal Oman Police have responded to a shooting incident that took place near a mosque in the Al-Wadi Al-Kabir area,” police said in a statement.
Authorities initially reported that four people had been killed and “several others” injured at the mosque in eastern Muscat.
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Terrorist attack on a Shiite mosque outside #Omancapital of #Muscat.
First report: 21 dead and many injured. photo.twitter.com/z0hkUXtumC— Fawad Rehman (@fawadrehman) July 16, 2024
At the same time, police said that “all necessary security measures and procedures have been taken to bring the situation under control.”
“Authorities continue to collect evidence and conduct investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the report said.
Following the shooting, the US embassy in Muscat issued a security alert on Tuesday and canceled all visa appointments.
In a message on X, the embassy said that “US citizens should remain vigilant, monitor local news, and follow the directions of local authorities.”
Verified images of AFP shows people fleeing from the Imam Ali Mosque, with the minaret visible, while gunshots can be heard in the background.
A voice can be heard saying, “Oh God,” and repeatedly saying “Oh Hussein,” referring to Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
It is worth noting that this week, Muslims around the world commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in the year 61 AH (AD 680).
