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Silent Protest in Zahedan Held on Friday

Feb 5, 2026 February 5, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

On December 15, worshippers in Zahedan held a silent protest following Friday prayers, called by Molavi Abdulhamid, amid heightened security after an attack by the Jaish al-Adl group. The attack reportedly resulted in casualties among police forces, with conflicting reports on the number of deaths and injuries. This event highlights ongoing tensions and the impact of violence in the region.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The silent protest in Zahedan underscores the persistent ethnic and sectarian tensions in Iran's volatile Sistan and Baluchestan province.

👥 Key Players

Molavi Abdulhamid MENTIONED
Sunni religious leader
"A prominent Sunni cleric in Iran, influential in the Sistan and Baluchestan region, often vocal about minority rights."
Jaish al-Adl MENTIONED
Militant group
"A Sunni militant group operating in southeastern Iran, known for attacks against Iranian security forces, advocating for Sunni rights."
Khamenei's representative in Sistan and Baluchestan MENTIONED
Government official
"Represents the Supreme Leader's interests in the region, tasked with maintaining state influence and control."

📰 What Happened

On December 15, worshippers in Zahedan participated in a silent protest after Friday prayers, organized by Molavi Abdulhamid. This occurred in a tense security environment following a deadly attack by the Jaish al-Adl group on a police command center.

  • The protest was silent and coordinated, occurring under heavy security.
  • Conflicting reports exist on the casualties from the Jaish al-Adl attack.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Highlights ongoing ethnic and sectarian tensions, challenging the government's control and approach to minority rights.
🌍 Regional: Reflects broader Sunni-Shia tensions in the region, impacting stability in southeastern Iran.
🌐 International: Raises concerns about human rights and minority treatment in Iran, potentially affecting international relations.

📚 Background

Sistan and Baluchestan is a restive province in Iran with a significant Sunni population, often at odds with the predominantly Shia government.

Sunni-Shia relations in Iran Iranian minority rights
📡 Source: OPPOSITION
📊 Confidence: 70%
Halosh is likely to provide perspectives critical of the Iranian government, emphasizing minority grievances.

The website 'Halosh' reported that worshippers at the Makki Mosque in Zahedan, on Friday, December 15, following the Friday prayers, held a silent march at the request of Molavi Abdulhamid amidst a heavy security atmosphere. Halosh also noted the impact of the security environment created after the attack by the 'Jaish al-Adl' group on the police command headquarters in the city of Rask on this march, adding that government agents conducted body searches of the worshippers. Images shared on social media show that worshippers at the Makki Mosque in Zahedan were leaving this religious center in complete silence and in a coordinated manner. Following the armed attack by the Jaish al-Adl group, the prosecutor of Sistan and Baluchestan province stated that 12 police officers were killed and 7 others were injured, some of whom are in critical condition. However, this group denied the reported figures, claiming that 50 individuals were killed and injured in the attack on the police command center in Rask. Halosh: Khamenei's representative in Sistan and Baluchestan has taken 'commitments' from Friday prayer leaders to 'praise' the Islamic Republic. Armed attack in Rask, Sistan and Baluchestan; 12 police officers were killed. Armed forces attacked two religious schools in Zahedan; teachers of Dar al-Uloom: 'It was a violation of sanctity.'

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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