Molavi Abdolhamid Criticizes Spending on Religion: Government Should Address People's Problems

In his Friday prayer sermon on August 25 in Zahedan, Molavi Abdolhamid criticized the excessive spending on religious ceremonies despite the numerous issues facing the country, urging the Islamic Republic government to address the problems of the people. According to the Sunni Imam of Zahedan, "A purely religious government, as we have experienced in Iran, has not worked. I wish they had thought of both national and religious aspects from the beginning." He added, "If they had thought of both national and religious aspects, it would have been better. [However] if all focus is on religion, this is the result." Molavi Abdolhamid told the leaders of the Islamic Republic not to spend money on religion but to address the people's problems. This prominent Sunni cleric continued by stating that no government has the right to spend the country's resources elsewhere, especially in such conditions. He questioned the Islamic Republic officials, asking if it is fair and right to spend "three thousand billion" on a religious ceremony when medicine is scarce in the country, as stated by the Minister of Roads. He reminded them that "the light that is permissible for the home is forbidden for the mosque" and asked why the country's vast resources are spent abroad, especially in wars. Abdolhamid criticized the Islamic Republic's propaganda for promoting higher birth rates, saying, "Reason is also a good thing." He told the officials that until they stabilize the country's economic situation, people will not be able to feed their children. The Sunni Imam of Zahedan also referred to the protests by teachers, retirees, employees, and workers, adding that one should "cry blood" for the state of the country. Regarding the recent arrests of family members of those who have died in the "recent uprisings," he said instead of arrests, they should be treated with kindness. He criticized the arrests of Sunni scholars, including Molana Abdulmajid, Mamosta Khazrinajad, and Molana Fathi Mohammad Naqshbandi, stating that all prisoners should be released and that "arresting will not yield results." In another part of his speech, he mentioned that during the "Bloody Friday" in Zahedan, innocent people were killed in the prayer hall, and so far, not a single one of the "murderers" has been imprisoned, but the people have shown patience. He emphasized that the people have not forgiven their rights and hope to achieve them. The speech of the Sunni Imam of Zahedan was interrupted shortly after it began due to internet disruptions in the city. This is the umpteenth week in a row that Zahedan's internet has experienced disruptions on Fridays. Simultaneously, protesters in various cities of Sistan and Baluchestan province demanded the release of Molavi Fathi Mohammad Naqshbandi, the Imam of Rask, and chanted slogans against the Islamic Republic. Imam of Zahedan: The arrest of the Imam of Rask will lead to increased dissatisfaction. Molavi Abdolhamid: Holding elections with past methods is "useless." Protesters in Zahedan demanded the release of political prisoners. Molavi Abdolhamid: The country's problems cannot be solved by issuing death sentences. Molavi Abdolhamid: The government has not fulfilled any of the promises it made to the Sunnis. Molavi Abdolhamid: People should not be killed for the survival of the government.