Expansion of Ideological Training; Head of Seminaries: 'Religious and Belief Courses' Should Be Considered for Red Crescent

The head of the country's seminaries has called for the organization of 'religious and belief' educational and explanatory courses for the rescue forces of the Red Crescent Society. According to the security-affiliated news agency 'Fars', Alireza A'arafi stated that it is necessary for volunteer youth of the Red Crescent to have both 'specialized and professional' and 'religious and belief' training courses. Mohammad Eshghi, the CEO of the Red Crescent Society in Yazd province, also mentioned during a meeting with A'arafi that 'we have taken steps in cultural discussions in collaboration with seminary students.' According to Article 1 of the statute of the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran (formerly the Red Lion and Sun Society), this organization is considered a charitable, non-profit institution with independent legal personality. Article 2 of this statute states that the goals of the society include 'efforts to alleviate human suffering, ensuring respect for human beings, and striving for mutual friendship and understanding and lasting peace among nations, as well as supporting the life and health of people without any discrimination.' In recent decades, the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic has repeatedly been accused of engaging in activities outside the framework of its statute and humanitarian treaties, despite denials from government officials. Saeed Qasemi, a former commander of the Revolutionary Guards, in an interview in April 2019, responded to a question about his activities in Bosnia by saying, 'Now everyone knows, we were Red Crescent members who went to Bosnia to train the Mujahideen forces.' Meanwhile, the Iranian Red Crescent has faced financial crises, structural corruption, unpaid salaries for contracted individuals, and failure to meet some external commitments, especially during emergencies. In September 2020, domestic media reported that Ali Asghar Pirooz, the former head of the Iranian Red Crescent, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for 'embezzlement and illegal appropriation of Red Crescent assets.' Simultaneously, the Iranian Red Crescent has participated in important government programs, such as the ideological and promotional displays of the Islamic Republic under the pretext of the traditional and religious 'Arbaeen' pilgrimage in Iraq. In August of this year, as 'shortages of medicine and medical equipment' in Iran became news again, the head of the Red Crescent stated that approximately '400 tons of medicine' and more than '80 ambulances' were provided for 'Arbaeen pilgrims.' The Secretary-General of the Iranian Red Crescent stated that such incidents are aimed at strengthening the Islamic Republic. Recent events include an explosion at a government ceremony commemorating Qassem Soleimani, resulting in over 100 deaths, floods and waterlogging in 7 provinces, and the Red Crescent reporting one death and two missing persons due to recent rains. Floods and waterlogging affected 13 provinces, with one person missing in Kalaleh and rescue operations in 23 counties. The exorbitant costs of the 'Arbaeen carnival' are borne by the people, with essential goods being sent up to a budget of 3 trillion tomans for one ministry. The Islamic Republic and its priorities; 'unable' to cover the budget deficit for medicine; 'able' to provide 'currency' for Arbaeen.