Mowlavi Abdulhamid: Families of Victims of 'Bloody Friday' Are Under Pressure to Accept Blood Money

The Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan reported that families of the victims and injured from the 'Bloody Friday' in Zahedan are being pressured to accept blood money. Mowlavi Abdulhamid, in his Friday sermon on November 17, criticized the pressure exerted by 'some' on the families of the victims and injured, stating that they are being forced to 'accept blood money.' He described this insistence as 'contrary to the customs and laws in the country' and expressed surprise that, despite the Supreme Leader's order to punish the perpetrators and instigators of this crime, this order has not been implemented. In the common terminology of the Islamic Republic, 'Leadership' refers to Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. The Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan stated that what brings solace to the victims' families is the punishment of all those involved in this crime. In another part of his speech, Mowlavi Abdulhamid said that the Islamic Republic's government should focus on 'solving people's problems' and 'protecting national interests.' According to this prominent Sunni cleric, the country's revenues should go to the public treasury, which belongs to all Iranians regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or sect. He expressed regret that there are individuals and organizations in the country that misuse public funds. He pointed out the dissatisfaction of various groups and stated that if Iran's currency does not regain its former value, even raising the salaries of employees and workers will not solve their economic problems. Mowlavi Abdulhamid called the protection of the national interests of the country the key to solving the Iranian people's difficulties and said that governing the country requires competent officials and managers who safeguard national interests. This prominent Sunni cleric emphasized that the interests of the Iranian people and the people themselves are the 'most important duty.' He stated that if Iran's blocked funds abroad are released, they should be spent on the Iranian people. Mowlavi Abdulhamid, referring to the religious, sectarian, and ethnic diversity in Iran, said that the parliament and government should also be equally diverse, and that uniformity in governance is detrimental to the country and national interests. He noted that Iranian women also possess many capabilities and should play a role in governing the country. Images published on social media show that protesters in Zahedan held a silent march after the Friday prayer on November 17, leaving the prayer hall. At the same time, the 'Baluch Activists Campaign' reported a significant presence of security forces in Zahedan. From the city of Khash, social media has shared videos showing a military vehicle stationed inside the city. Following protests against the assault of a police commander on a teenage Baluch girl on September 30, 2022, police officers in Zahedan shot at protesters and passersby, resulting in the deaths of at least one hundred people and injuring hundreds more. Since then, protest marches have been held every week after Friday prayers in Zahedan. So far, the efforts of the Islamic Republic's security and military forces to prevent the holding of protest Fridays in Zahedan have been unsuccessful. Mowlavi Abdulhamid: Media of influential organizations have resorted to 'false accusations.' Increased pressure on Mowlavi Abdulhamid and continued arrests in Zahedan; the cameraman of Makki Mosque has been arrested. Mowlavi Abdulhamid called for justice regarding the 'Khash crime.' Internet outages and the widespread presence of security forces in Zahedan; a 'silent march' was held. A human rights organization: at least 5 children and adolescents are among those arrested in Zahedan. Protesters in Zahedan once again took to the streets 'despite the ongoing heavy security atmosphere.' Mowlavi Abdulhamid: The slogan of destroying Israel is useless; the two nations must live together. Mowlavi Abdulhamid called for a 'thorough and impartial' investigation into the situation of Armita Garavand and the 'punishment' of those responsible.