SHOOTING AT EDUCATION MINISTRY KILLS TWO

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001013

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, DS/IP/NEA

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM SOCI ASEC MU
SUBJECT: SHOOTING AT EDUCATION MINISTRY KILLS TWO



1. (SBU) Summary: Muscat is reeling from a June 27 shooting by a
disgruntled former teacher at the Ministry of Education, leaving
two persons dead and at least four others in serious condition.
The shooter, a religious studies teacher fired for unethical
behavior, committed suicide following a police chase. This
random violence is unprecedented in Oman and will likely lead to
questions as to how it could have happened. End summary.

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Disgruntled Teacher
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2. (SBU) A former Ministry of Education employee opened fire June
27 at the Muscat Governorate's Directorate General of Education
in the central Muscat neighborhood of Al Wattayah shortly before
10:00 am. Embassy and Internet sources reported that the
shooter, Muhammad Khamis Mubarak al-Salhi, a 35-year old teacher
of Islamic studies, was terminated last year for drinking on the
job and unethical behavior. He reportedly started shooting after
Ministry employees informed him that his request to be reinstated
had been rejected. Two persons, including a female employee,
were killed immediately and four others are reported in serious-
to-critical condition at nearby Khawla Hospital. The Royal Oman
Police report that the shooter committed suicide after being
surrounded by police following a vehicular pursuit that ended in
a neighborhood near to Embassy housing. Hospital officials
declined to give further information on injured employees.


3. (SBU) Participants on the Internet message board Al Sablah
expressed shock, noting that such an incident has never happened
before in Oman. They speculate that Ministry of Education senior
officials will be held accountable for not dealing with the
disgruntled former teacher more effectively. That ministry has
received considerable criticism in recent years for slow
promotions and no wage increases (a complaint common to other
ministries as well). There was also public criticism of a change
in 2004 to the Islamic studies curriculum for grades 11 and 12.

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Comment
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4. (SBU) There is no evidence to suggest the shooting was related
to any broader criticisms of the ministry, nor is there anything
to indicate the violence was not simply a tragic, random act. No
details have yet been released on the weapon used or how it was
obtained. The official Omani News Agency released a brief
statement on the afternoon of June 27, and the story was the lead
item on the 5:00 pm local television news.

SNOWDEN