Concerns Expressed by Two Religious Authorities in Qom Over Rising Prices and the Influence of 'Takfiri' Thoughts in Iran

Two religious authorities criticized the 'rising prices and unemployment' in Iran and called for 'promotional activities to prevent the influence of deviant and Takfiri thoughts' in Kurdistan. According to a report on Thursday, November 17, by Tasnim News Agency, Hossein Noori Hamedani, in a meeting with Mohammad Reza Naqdi, head of the Basij Organization, criticized that 'everything has become more expensive' and stated that 'no one has oversight or control over these price increases.' Noori Hamedani declared the people's demand as 'eliminating unemployment' and deemed the role of the Basij in 'solving the economic and social problems of the country as essential.' He also mentioned, 'Unfortunately, in the media, we see that there seem to be two ruling currents in the country, whereas there should only be one path and one direction, which is the inclination towards the legitimacy of the Supreme Leader.' His remarks regarding the role of the Basij in addressing the country's economic issues relate to the concept of 'resistance economy,' emphasized by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. The Basij commander has repeatedly criticized what he calls Hassan Rouhani's 'indifference' to this issue. Previously, he had pointed to the Supreme Leader's directive regarding the resistance economy, stating, 'The Supreme Leader wants us to achieve a resistance economy for attaining an advanced industrial economy... This is a statement that must be heeded. It is the word of the leader.' The head of the Basij noted that the designation of the year 1395 as the year of 'Resistance Economy, Action, and Practice' by Khamenei indicates that the Supreme Leader is dissatisfied with the economic policies of Rouhani's government. He added, 'Today, saving humanity from the dollar is more important than the struggles of the Mujahideen of Hamas in Palestine and Hezbollah in Lebanon; this is resistance economy.' Naser Makarem Shirazi, another religious authority residing in Qom, also claimed that even non-Islamic countries feel a 'need' for the Basij. According to the Basij News Agency, he stated in his meeting with Mohammad Reza Naqdi, 'Today, both Islamic and non-Islamic countries feel the need for the Basij, and with the presence of the Basij, the enemy cannot achieve anything.' However, Makarem did not provide any evidence for his claim. He stated that the 'enemy' cannot achieve anything because 'Basijis neutralize the enemy's actions in various arenas.' Tasnim News Agency also reported that Mr. Makarem Shirazi, in his meeting with several female seminary students from Kurdistan, warned against what he called the 'influence of deviant and Takfiri thoughts' in this province. He urged the country's officials to work to prevent the further spread of these thoughts in Kurdistan through 'promotional activities.' Earlier this year, the judiciary of Kurdistan province announced the execution of members of a group they labeled as 'Takfiri and Salafi,' who had engaged in terrorist activities about six years ago and were members of the 'Tawhid and Jihad' group.