The International Union of Muslim Scholars expresses its deep solidarity and sincere condolences, along with heartfelt sympathies to the Sultanate of Oman, encompassing its Sultan, government, and people, following the shooting incident that occurred last night in the Al Wadi Al Kabir area of Muscat. This tragic attack claimed the lives of five individuals and a police officer, in addition to three attackers, and left 28 others of various nationalities injured.
In light of this grievous tragedy, the International Union of Muslim Scholars asserts the following in this statement:
Support and Solidarity: We affirm our full support for the brotherly state of Oman and its cherished people. We pray to Allah for the healing and recovery of the injured and their safe return to their families.
Strong Condemnation: We strongly condemn the targeting of God's houses and the killing of worshippers therein, as these acts are grave crimes unjustifiable by any divine law, secular law, or custom.
Sanctity of Sacred Sites: We emphatically and unequivocally affirm the inviolability of religious sanctities and the prohibition of any harm to them, asserting that such acts are forbidden in all heavenly religions and must be met with firm opposition.
Rejection of Discord: Actions as vile as these, regardless of the identity of the perpetrators or those supporting them, serve only the enemies of humanity and extremists who seek to sow discord among people.
We pray to Allah to protect the Sultanate of Oman and its dear people from all harm, and to bless them with peace, security, and stability.
Allah the Almighty says: "And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allah from being mentioned in His mosques and strive toward their ruin? It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace, and they will have in the Hereafter a great punishment." (The Cow: 114).
And He also says: "And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right..." (The Night Journey: 33).
Dr. Ali bin Mohammed Al-Salabi,
Secretary-General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars