US embassy cable - 05MUSCAT1013

UNCLAS MUSCAT 001013 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, DS/IP/NEA 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCRM, SOCI, ASEC, MU, Domestic Politics 
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