'He saved my children': Oman mosque shooting victims hailed as heroes

One week on, survivors and relatives recount how victims saved lives while under attack by ISIS militants

Witnesses say the men who died in the shooting on July 15 at a mosque in Wadi Al Kabir, Muscat, saved dozens of lives. The National

Relatives of men who were killed when gunmen opened fire at a Shiite mosque in Oman said they saved the lives of dozens of worshippers during the attack in which six people were killed.

Families said their relatives shielded children and carried people to safety despite being exposed to gunfire during the attack on the Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi Al Kabir neighbourhood of Muscat on July 15.

Funerals were held at the weekend in Pakistan, India and Oman for the six men who were killed. Four were from Pakistan, one was Indian, and one was an Omani policeman.

More than 30 others were injured in the attack, which was claimed by ISIS.

'He saved my children'

Shahbaz Nawaz said his brother Sulaiman died saving the lives of several children.

Their family of 15 were preparing to leave the mosque to drive to another nearby gathering on Monday night.

Sulaiman was waiting with a group of children for cars to pull up near the women’s section, when the gunmen opened fire just before 10.30pm.

“Sulaiman was shot in the legs, waist and back, there were 10-12 bullets in his body.

“He saved my children and he saved other children waiting outside for their parents,” said Shahbaz Nawaz after his younger brother’s funeral in Wazirabad, north of Lahore.

“When we heard the shooting, we tried to go there but there was too much firing.

“We went back inside the mosque and found our children, Sulaiman managed to push them back into the mosque.”

The family left the mosque on the morning of July 16 after security forces secured the area and spent the day looking for Sulaiman.

“We heard later that he was shaheed [martyred],” Mr Nawaz said.

“The volunteers tried to save him but he was shot at again and again when they tried to bring him into the mosque.”

Experts have said the brutal attack had all the hallmarks of ISIS terrorists.

Oman police confirmed the gunmen were Omani brothers and investigations “indicated they were influenced by misguided ideas”.

The Nawaz family said they were shattered but would not bowed by fear.

“My brother was courageous, he gave up his life to save our children,” Mr Nawaz said of Sulaiman.

“My brother loved his family, always thought of others.

“He wanted to work, save money so that our children would study and have a good education.

“Our family is beyond grief.

“This cannot stop us from praying, we will stay peaceful and keep going to pray.”

Died a hero

The family of Sayyed Qaisar Abbas mourned his death in Faisalabad, west of Lahore.

Sayyed’s wife was inside the mosque and his brother Saeed Shahbaz was working away from Muscat when the attack took place.

They heard from volunteers and worshippers who were present during the attack how the 40-year-old Pakistani dragged the injured to safety and gave water to the wounded who lay in the mosque car park.

“He died a hero. He pulled children, dragged people in, shielded them with his body. We heard this from people he saved,” said Mr Shahbaz. “He gave injured people water.”

Mr Shahbaz said volunteers said his brother was soon spotted by the gunmen positioned on the roof of nearby buildings.

“There were so many bullets in his body, he died on the spot,” he said.

“When there is shooting, it’s normal to take shelter but he died bravely. It was in his blood to help people.”

Sayyed, a lorry driver who has lived in Oman for more than 15 years, was among the volunteers who guided people in the mosque and served them water.

The attack has shocked residents but not shaken their faith in the government’s ability to restore peace.

“He was the best brother, best husband and never did anyone any harm,” said Mr Shahbaz, also a lorry driver in Oman.

“We don’t have any strength after this.

“But we know that Oman has a good government and security will be even stronger now."

'We must live in love'

Others spoke of the bravery of Omani policeman Yousuf Al Nadabi, who died trying to rescue worshippers.

Taussef Bukhari, a Pakistani citizen who was shot during the attack, said he saw the moment the police officer was shot while attempting to rescue the injured.

Mr Bukhari also saved a child by pushing him out of harm's way before being shot twice.

“I pushed the child into the car because I knew he would not be safe outside. I managed to crawl behind the cars but I was shot,” said Mr Bukhari, 31, who works for a manufacturing company in Muscat.

He, too, saw the Omani police officer shot when he drove up to rescue the injured.

“There were so many injured people, there was so much blood,” Mr Bukhari said.

Despite the pain, he tried not to cry out so the gunmen would not target more people.

“I knew if I cry or yell, they will know where we are and they will fire more,” he said.

“I tried not to give away my position and let them know they had hit me.

“I tried to bear the pain but there was so much blood.”

He has now returned home after two operations to treat bullet wounds in his arm and leg.

After about a week in hospital, Mr Bukhari is recovering at home and his message is one of peace.

“For the people who did this, I say that every person has the right to live, they cannot decide who is worthy of living,” he said.

“Interfaith harmony is important.

“Parents, teachers and leaders must talk, discuss issues. We must live in love and brotherhood and also let others live.”