Alhok Massacre

Alhok Massacre
Part of The Troubles
Remnants of Alhok Mosque in 2001 before being completely demolished
Location	Avergís, Terranihil
Date	November 3, 1972
Target	Alhaz Muslims
Attack type	Mass murder
Deaths	32
Injured	28
Perpetrator	Terranihil
Motive	Prevention of radical Islam

The Alhok Massacre is a mass killing of thirty-two Muslims by Terranilian police on November 3, 1972 in Avergís, Terranihil. The shooting caused significant backlash in Avergís and throughout western Terranihil.

Events

On November 3, 1972, under the orders of Chairman Meról Bróth, the Department of Internal Security (DIS) of Terranihil closed Alhok Masjid, the third largest mosque in Avergís at the time. It was also during the month of Ramadan. The reason for the closure was supposed anti-government statements made by the sheikh during a Friday prayer, as well as hidden illegal weapons. The DIS chose to shut down the mosque during a Friday prayer, possibly to send a message to Muslims. The Terranilian agents entered the busy mosque and arrested the sheikh. Then they ordered all 2,000 people within to exit. Most of the Muslims complied; however, about 70 men and boys refused to exit and barricaded themselves in the back of the mosque.

A fire started in the mosque about two hours after the police's arrival. The source of the fire is unclear; Terranilian sources report that the barricaded Muslims started it, while several witnesses claimed the police began the fire to drive out the Muslims. After seven hours, the GÉC (Armed Special Police) arrived and forcibly attempted to remove the barricaders. Several Muslims had armed themselves with makeshift weapons. The GÉC openned fire, killing thirty-two and injuring twenty-eight of the 70 men. Four of the deaths were under eighteen. The mosque was then shut down.

The backlash from the massacre was significant in Avergís. Thousands of Muslims protested in the streets of the city for several days afterward. The protests were mostly peaceful.