Protesters' Slogan in Another 'Protest Friday' in Zahedan: Political Prisoners Must Be Freed

On Friday, September 1, protesters in Zahedan continued their 'Protest Fridays' by chanting 'Political prisoners must be freed' and 'Mawlana Naqshbandi must be freed.' In Rask, images shared on social media indicated a heavy presence of military forces and a tense security atmosphere. In Mehristan, a group of worshippers chanted 'Long live Sheikh al-Islam' and 'Mawlana Naqshbandi must be freed' after Friday prayers. Meanwhile, according to the human rights organization Halosh, internet access in Zahedan and some other cities in Sistan and Baluchestan faced 'severe disruptions' on Friday, making 'communication for citizens very difficult.' Additionally, Mawlawi Abdul Hamid's speech during the Friday prayers in Zahedan, which was broadcast live on Instagram, was interrupted several times. In his sermon on September 1, Mawlawi Abdul Hamid stated that the Islamic Republic has not treated Sunni Muslims fairly and equally. Mawlawi Fathi Mohammad Naqshbandi, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Rask, was arrested on Sunday, August 20, on charges of 'disturbing public opinion through false speeches, slander and defamation against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and actions against national security and illegal seizure of national lands.' The 'Protest Fridays' in Zahedan began after security forces killed dozens of worshippers in the city on Friday, September 30, 2022, an event that became known as 'Bloody Friday of Zahedan.' Protesters in Sistan and Baluchestan chanted 'Death to Khomeini and Khamenei' demanding the release of political prisoners. Mawlawi Abdul Hamid criticized the government for 'spending on religion' and urged it to address the people's problems. The Friday prayer leader of Zahedan stated that the arrest of the Friday prayer leader of Rask would lead to increased dissatisfaction. Mawlawi Abdul Hamid emphasized that the country's problems cannot be solved by issuing death sentences and that the government has not fulfilled any of the promises made to the Sunni community.