In the context of their continued violations of the civil and human rights of citizens, the Omani authorities targeted a number of innocent citizens for observing Eid al-Adha prayers according to the Mecca calendar. Trumped-up charges were brought against them after they were referred to a trial that lacked the lowest international standards for fair trial and legal procedures.
On 16 June 2024, under direct orders from the Internal Security Service, Dr. Ali Amer Al-Mashani was arrested as he led the Eid prayer that morning at the Madinat Al-Haqq Mosque in the district of Taqah, in the Dhofar Governorate, contrary to the government announcement that declared 17 June 2024, as the first day of Eid.
A number of other members of the Al-Mashani tribe, a tribe in Dhofar Governorate, were also arrested for various reasons: posting on the social media platform X in support of performing prayers according to the Meccan calendar, performing prayers, or attending a meeting of the tribe that was held on 21 June 2024, at Qirtan Rest House in the district of Taqah.
Among the detainees are the following citizens:
- Dr. Ahmed Masoud Al-Mashani was arrested on 30 June 2024, after returning from Hajj in Mecca due to a post he made on X.
- Mahmoud Saeed Al-Mashani was arrested on 30 June 2024, due to his participation in Eid prayers.
- Saeed Salem Al-Mashani was arrested on 24 June 2024, because of post he made on X.
- Salem Mohammed Al-Mashani was arrested on 24 June 2024, due to his participation in Eid prayers.
- Saeed Mohammed Al-Mashani was arrested on 24 June 2024, for leading Eid prayers at his home.
- Citizen Tariq Saeed Al-Omari has also been imprisoned since 07 June 2024, and was charged with inciting sectarian strife.
Reliable local reports confirmed that dozens of members of the Al-Mashani tribe were also arrested after they attended the meeting referred to above, and they were not released until they were forced to pledge not to violate the government’s policies.
The others are detained in Salalah and Awqad prisons located in the district of Salalah, which is the capital and largest city of Dhofar Governorate.
On 09 July 2024, the Court of Appeal held its hearing in their trial. The Public Prosecution charged them inciting sectarian strife for holding their prayers using the calendar of Mecca, and inciting discord in society, charges they denied. The court decided to postpone the trial until 20 August 2024, to pronounce the ruling.
All the detainees attended the trial session except for Salem Mohammed Al-Mashani, who was released on bail for three days due to the death of his brother, and Mahmoud Saeed Al-Mashani, although it was not known why he did not attend the hearing.
Article (108) of the amended Omani Penal Code of 2018 stipulates imprisonment for a period ranging between three and ten years for anyone who promotes sectarian strife.
The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) condemns, in the strongest terms, these arbitrary arrests and unfair trial carried out by the authorities, of innocent citizens who exercised their natural right to perform prayer at a time that was consistent with their faith. GCHR calls on the Omani government to release all detainees in this case, drop all charges against them, and refrain from targeting them or others observing their faith in the future.
GCHR also calls on the Internal Security Service to stop its repressive policies and ensure the protection of citizens’ public freedoms.
