On Saturday, November 18, the Islamic Republic held an organized rally in 'support of Gaza,' with some sources reporting that this protest was taking place with the forced participation of students and government employees in various cities. The 'Halosh' website reported from Zahedan that students, educators, and government employees in the cities of Balochistan were 'forced to participate in this gathering,' while this news site referred to Zahedan as 'the Gaza of Iran.' In this context, Hojjat Mirzaei, a researcher, stated in an interview with the 'Shargh' newspaper on November 16 that according to a report prepared for the Ministry of Labor in 2021, over 80% of the rural population and 45% of the urban population in Sistan and Baluchestan are poor, and the per capita income in Tehran is estimated to be five times that of Sistan and Baluchestan. He pointed out that the life expectancy of men in this province is 8 to 10 years and that of women is six years less than the national average. Halosh quoted citizens of this province as saying, 'The situation of the people of Sistan and Baluchestan, especially Zahedan, is not better than that of the people of Gaza.' The report emphasized that the Islamic Republic raises the cry of 'supporting the oppressed children of Gaza,' while Baloch children and worshippers in Zahedan are 'harassed without any reason' every Friday. In this regard, the information and public relations office of the Education Department of Hamadan Province also announced that all school levels across Hamadan Province would be closed in the afternoon on November 18 to allow participation in the rally organized for 'supporting Gaza,' which is set to take place this afternoon. Reports received by VOA indicate that in various cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, and Tabriz, students have been organized and sent from schools to this rally. In a report published by the 'Mehr' news agency, affiliated with the Islamic Propaganda Organization, it was noted that most participants in the protest held in 'Bandar Deyr' were students from various educational levels. Silent marches by citizens after Friday prayers and the exit from the Zahedan mosque on November 25, and the shrouding of Isfahani farmers in protest against water problems on November 24, were also mentioned. Molavi Abdulhamid stated that families of the victims of the 'Bloody Friday' are under pressure to accept blood money.
Government-organized Protests in 'Support of Gaza' with 'Mandatory Attendance' of Students and Government Employees
The Iranian government organized a rally in support of Gaza, reportedly forcing students and government employees to attend. This event highlights the disparity between the government's rhetoric on supporting Gaza and the dire conditions faced by many in Iran, particularly in Sistan and Baluchestan. The situation underscores ongoing human rights issues and economic struggles in the region.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
On November 18, the Iranian government organized a rally in support of Gaza, reportedly compelling students and government employees to attend. This event drew attention to the stark contrast between the government's claims of supporting oppressed people abroad and the dire conditions faced by many Iranians, especially in Sistan and Baluchestan.
- Participation in the rally was reportedly mandatory for students and government employees.
- Sistan and Baluchestan is one of the poorest regions in Iran, with significant socioeconomic challenges.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran often organizes public demonstrations to showcase solidarity with international causes, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while simultaneously facing significant internal challenges.
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
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