Government Forces Present Around Makki Mosque in Zahedan; Abdulhamid: People of Iran Are in 'Severe Distress'

Mowlavi Abdulhamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan, criticized the management of the country in his Friday sermon on January 26, stating that religion should not serve political interests because 'religion is not political.' According to him, the people of Iran are in 'severe distress' and the majority are living in difficult conditions, whereas 'it was not like this in the past.' The Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan added that during this time, 'no steps' have been taken by the officials of the Islamic Republic to fulfill the people's demands, and the pressures have only increased. This prominent Sunni figure emphasized that the people are all well-wishers of the country and their voices should be heard and their demands addressed. Mowlavi Abdulhamid further stated that Iran is composed of various ethnicities, religions, and sects, and paying attention to the demands of all can create national unity. He also mentioned that the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran was drafted 45 years ago, and now new generations have come with new demands, while this constitution has not changed. In response to news regarding the disqualification of Hassan Rouhani, the former president of Iran, from running for the Assembly of Experts without mentioning his name, he said that as a result of the supervisory oversight over elections, a two-term president and someone who has been the head of the National Security Council for years is now disqualified. At the end of this week's Friday sermon, as in previous Fridays, Mowlavi Abdulhamid asked the worshippers in Zahedan to leave the mosque calmly and quietly after the prayer. Images shared on social media indicate the continuation of a severe security atmosphere in Zahedan and the presence of government agents around the Makki Mosque, despite more than a year having passed since the 'Bloody Friday' in this city. Human rights organization Halosh reported, citing local sources, that 'simultaneously with the widespread presence of the people of Zahedan in Friday prayers, the entrances and exits of the Makki Mosque and prayer hall were blocked by security forces, and the movement of citizens was controlled.' After the killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini in custody by the morality police on September 16, 2022, the Baluch citizens, alongside their fellow Iranians, engaged in widespread protests. The protests of the Baluch citizens, especially those in Zahedan, intensified after the massacre of 100 worshippers during the 'Bloody Friday' on October 1, 2022, and since then, this city has been the scene of anti-government protests every Friday. Mowlavi Abdulhamid also criticizes the policies of the Islamic Republic and high-ranking officials of the Iranian government, including Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in his Friday sermons every week. He has repeatedly emphasized the need to prosecute 'the perpetrators and instigators of this crime' and stated that discriminations must be eliminated, and all Iranians, regardless of their religion, sect, and ethnicity, should be treated equally and participate in the governance of the country. Mowlavi Abdulhamid expressed regret over the killing of women and children in attacks in Iran and Pakistan. He stated that Khamenei did not condemn either the plane crash or the crime in Zahedan. Mowlavi Abdulhamid expressed concern over the increasing number of executions and protested against the violation of minority rights. He stated that Iran was once wealthy; first, think of the Iranian people and then of neighboring countries. Abdulhamid called for 'dialogue' between Iran and Pakistan; protesters in Zahedan shouted 'Death to Khamenei.' Mowlavi Abdulhamid criticized Khamenei, stating that 'the highest authority in the country' should have condemned the 'crime' at the Zahedan prayer hall. Mowlavi Abdulhamid said that the explosions in Kerman were shocking; people are worried about the increase in executions.