The Baloch Activists Campaign announced on Tuesday, April 16, that they have obtained documents and information indicating that some worshippers at the Makki Mosque in Zahedan were told after their arrest that their presence in this mosque was a 'crime' and 'illegal.' The campaign stated on its Telegram channel that a group of people, especially residents of Sistan and Baluchestan who attended the Makki Mosque for prayers, were later arrested by government forces and faced charges of 'illegal assembly.' The 'Halosh' news agency, which covers news from Sistan and Baluchestan, reported that government agents prevented a large number of Norooz travelers from attending the Makki Mosque and meeting with Molavi Abdulhamid. Molavi Mohammad Tayeb Ismailzahi, son of Molavi Abdulhamid, criticized government forces for preventing Norooz travelers from entering the Makki Mosque, stating on Instagram: 'How and by what decree' do you ask us to deny guests entry to the Makki Mosque? Molavi Abdulhamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan and the Makki Mosque, has become a focal point of public attention and a source of concern for the Islamic Republic's officials since the protests on October 29, 2022, known as the 'Bloody Friday of Zahedan.' Since that date, he has criticized the policies of the Islamic Republic and high-ranking officials, especially Ali Khamenei, in his Friday sermons every week. According to published documents, during the fall of 2022, when security officials requested the arrest of Molavi Abdulhamid, Ali Khamenei opposed this request and demanded that he be 'discredited.' The execution of the sentences for Hossein Koushkinazad and Amir Sheibani Zaveh; the arrest of two citizens in Zahedan and Rask. Molavi Abdulhamid: The opposition of Islamic Republic officials to holding a referendum is due to their awareness of public discontent. The son of Molavi Abdulhamid: Government forces 'by what decree' do they ask us to deny Norooz guests entry to the Makki Mosque? The meeting of Hossein Ronaghi with Molavi Abdulhamid in Zahedan; local media reported the summons of some members of the Makki Mosque. Molavi Abdulhamid criticized the manner of holding the trial of the defendants of the 'Bloody Friday of Zahedan'; the commanders and agents of the Revolutionary Guards and Basij were not held accountable. Security forces prevented Molavi Abdulhamid from visiting flood-affected areas.
Baloch Activists Campaign: Revolutionary Court of Zahedan Considers Attendance at Makki Mosque a 'Crime'
The Baloch Activists Campaign revealed that worshippers at the Makki Mosque in Zahedan were arrested and told their attendance was illegal. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between the government and religious leaders, particularly Molavi Abdulhamid, who has been vocal against the regime since the Bloody Friday protests. The situation reflects broader issues of religious freedom and government repression in Iran.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Baloch activists report arrests for attending Makki Mosque, calling it a 'crime' under Iranian law.
- government forces arrest worshippers at Makki Mosque
- government agents prevent Norooz travelers
- Molavi Mohammad Tayeb Ismailzahi criticize government forces
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Iranian government is increasingly labeling religious gatherings as illegal to suppress dissent.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%