In March of 1977, Washington D.C. was gripped by a harrowing 39-hour ordeal that brought the nation's capital to a standstill: the 1977 Hanafi Siege. This dramatic hostage crisis, unfolding between March 9th and 11th, saw twelve armed members of the "Hanafi Movement" seize control of three prominent buildings across the city. Their leader, Hamaas Abdul Khaalis, orchestrated the takeover with a chillingly clear objective: to draw urgent, national attention to the unpunished 1973 murders of his own family members.

The Day Washington Held Its Breath

The morning of March 9, 1977, descended into chaos as the Hanafi gunmen launched their synchronized attacks. In total, 149 innocent individuals were taken hostage across three significant D.C. locations. One target was the historic District Building, the city's bustling hall, now known as the John A. Wilson Building. Here, the mayor and City Council had their offices, making it a symbolic and central point of government. Simultaneously, the attackers stormed the B'nai B'rith headquarters, a prominent Jewish organization, and the Islamic Center of Washington, a major mosque and cultural center, underscoring the broad and indiscriminate nature of their protest.

A Crisis with Tragic Consequences

While the vast majority of hostages were eventually released unharmed, the 1977 Hanafi Siege was not without its tragic casualties and close calls. Amidst the unfolding crisis at the District Building, 24-year-old Maurice Williams, a radio reporter for WHUR-FM, met a horrifying fate. Unaware of the danger, he stepped off a fifth-floor elevator—precisely where the mayor and Council Chairmen's offices were located—and directly into the gunmen's path, where he was senselessly killed. The violence also struck D.C. Protective Service Division police officer Mack Cantrell, who was shot during the initial takeover. Though he survived the immediate injury, he tragically succumbed to a heart attack in the hospital just a few days later, a direct consequence of the traumatic event.

Adding to the peril, then-Councilman Marion Barry, who would later serve four terms as Washington, D.C.'s beloved mayor, narrowly escaped a fatal injury. Hearing a commotion, he ventured into a hallway only to be struck by a ricocheted shotgun pellet. The projectile lodged perilously close, just above his heart. Quick-thinking rescuers extricated him through a window, rushing him to a hospital where he recovered, a testament to the random and immediate danger faced by those caught in the crisis.

The Gunmen's Demands

The motives driving Hamaas Abdul Khaalis and his followers were complex, rooted in both personal grievance and broader ideological demands. As the standoff wore on, their specific conditions for releasing the hostages became clear:

• Justice for Khaalis's Family: Their primary demand was for the government to hand over a group of men who had been previously convicted of the brutal 1973 murders of seven of Khaalis's relatives, most of whom were children. This personal quest for retribution fueled the entire siege.
• Malcolm X Assassination: They also demanded the surrender of individuals convicted in connection with the assassination of civil rights leader Malcolm X, highlighting a connection to earlier, deeply felt injustices within the African American community.
• Censorship of Film: A third, culturally significant demand was the cancellation and destruction of the film "Mohammad, Messenger of God." The Hanafi group considered the film sacrilegious, believing it misrepresented Islamic teachings and figures.

A Test of Patience and Diplomacy

The successful resolution of the Washington D.C. hostage crisis, with all remaining hostages safely released, was a profound relief and a significant achievement in crisis management. As Time magazine reported, a key factor was the "patience" exercised by U.S. law enforcement officials, a primary tactic increasingly employed to thwart terrorist acts. However, perhaps the most pivotal element in de-escalating the dangerous situation was the courageous and unprecedented intervention of three prominent Muslim ambassadors. Egypt's Ashraf Ghorbal, Pakistan's Sahabzada Yaqub-Khan, and Iran's Ardeshir Zahedi stepped forward as mediators, engaging in direct negotiations with Hamaas Abdul Khaalis. Their diplomatic efforts, rooted in shared faith and a commitment to peaceful resolution, ultimately persuaded the gunmen to surrender, bringing the terrifying 39-hour ordeal to a peaceful, if hard-won, close.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Hanafi Siege

What was the 1977 Hanafi Siege?

The 1977 Hanafi Siege was a hostage crisis that occurred in Washington, D.C., from March 9-11, 1977. Twelve gunmen from the "Hanafi Movement," led by Hamaas Abdul Khaalis, seized three buildings and took 149 hostages.

Why did the Hanafi Movement carry out the siege?

The primary motivation for the siege was Hamaas Abdul Khaalis's desire to bring attention to the unpunished 1973 murders of seven of his family members. The gunmen also had demands related to the Malcolm X assassination and the film "Mohammad, Messenger of God."

Which buildings were targeted during the Washington D.C. hostage crisis?

The gunmen targeted three significant locations: the District Building (Washington D.C.'s city hall, now the John A. Wilson Building), the B'nai B'rith headquarters, and the Islamic Center of Washington.

Were there any casualties during the 1977 Hanafi Siege?

Tragically, two people died: Maurice Williams, a 24-year-old radio reporter, who was killed by the gunmen, and D.C. police officer Mack Cantrell, who was shot and later died of a heart attack. Councilman Marion Barry was also injured by a ricocheting shotgun pellet but survived.

How was the 1977 Hanafi Siege resolved?

The Washington D.C. hostage crisis was resolved after a 39-hour standoff, largely due to the patience of law enforcement and, crucially, the intervention of three Muslim ambassadors (from Egypt, Pakistan, and Iran). Their diplomatic efforts led the gunmen to surrender, and all remaining hostages were released unharmed.