Harsh Criticism from a Cleric Against Khamenei: With This Economic Situation, the Clergy's Turban Will Be Trampled

Shahabuddin Haeri Shirazi, son of the former Friday prayer leader of Shiraz, criticized the suppression of peaceful protests, stating that if the Islamic Republic does not kill or blind the people, it will see how many will come to the streets. Haeri, who emphasized that he holds a degree of ijtihad, in a debate with Ali Zolam, a cleric supporting Ali Khamenei, during a roundtable at the 'Harf-e No' media outlet regarding the evaluation of Khamenei's 35-year leadership held on June 18, asserted that 'the demands of the leadership are exactly contradictory to its policies' and stressed that 'we have no right to make the people miserable for the slogans of death to America and Israel.' In this debate, which lasted more than three hours, Haeri Shirazi emphasized that Ali Khamenei is a 'powerful manager,' but 'does not have good ideas,' accusing Khamenei of lacking 'tolerance' and stating that to work with Khamenei, one must be 'completely obedient' to him. Haeri Shirazi, while stating that he is a cleric, mentioned that under the current conditions he cannot wear clerical clothing, attributing this inability to Khamenei's leadership, as he 'did not want to prioritize economic development' but rather 'wanted to prioritize the destruction of Israel,' adding that if the leader 'did not want, we would not be here today.' In response to Ali Zolam's claims that people did not support the protests, he commented on the severity of the suppression of nationwide protests, saying, 'If you do not shoot at the people, see how many come out,' and 'people come to the streets and get shot.' He criticized the notion that people did not support the protests, stating, 'People do not want to be blinded. Treat them like in France, do not blind the people.' He referred to Khamenei's past comments about a protester becoming blind in France, emphasizing that during the nationwide protests of 2022, 'according to the regime's admission,' 'only 250 people were killed in the streets,' claiming the actual number is 'much higher.' Haeri Shirazi stated, 'Many were blinded in these protests, and you say they did not support? They were saying change your policy. They were saying we do not want mandatory hijab.' This Shia cleric emphasized that 'mandatory hijab is not jurisprudential' and according to the views of the jurists, 'is just like other prohibitions.' He also cited some Shia jurists' opinions regarding 'enjoining good and forbidding wrong,' stating that they said if 'there is no likelihood of effect, do not say! Leave it, she is without hijab.' He quoted Nasir Makarem Shirazi, who said, 'There is no difference between hijab and lies and slander,' and that enjoining good 'is conditional on the likelihood of effect.' Haeri Shirazi added, 'Then you come and throw the person into a van. You drag them on the ground. Mahsa Amini's death is still unclear.' Ali Zolam attempted to interrupt Haeri Shirazi, telling him, 'You are mixing everything together.' Haeri Shirazi responded by showing a package next to him, saying, 'All this footage of the security forces' criminal behavior spread on social media has resulted in me having to carry a bundle in my hand; I cannot wear clerical clothing.' This Shia cleric emphasized the inflation, rising prices, and the living conditions of the Iranian people, stating, 'When the livelihood reaches underground, my turban will also be under their feet.' The opposition of religious figures and their families to the Islamic Republic and its policies has a history. Badri Khamenei, the sister of the Supreme Leader, emphasized in a statement on December 7, 2022, that 'the regime of the Islamic Republic under Khomeini and Ali Khamenei has brought nothing but pain, suffering, and oppression for Iran and Iranians.'