Iran's top Sunni cleric Mawravi Abdulhamid has called on the government to engage in “constructive negotiations” with protesters after widespread discontent has all but eroded the Islamic republic's legitimacy in recent years. ” again requested that consultations be held.
“We believe in dialogue, but we do not believe in dialogue that leads to no action. We believe in constructive dialogue that leads to acceptance of the truth,” said the Sunni Baluchi. The top religious leader of the Iranian-majority ethnic group made the remarks during a Friday sermon at the Makki Jameh Mosque in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan Baluchestan province.
Recently, the situation in the prefecture has become even more tense. Sunni Baluch rebel group The military known as Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) has stepped up operations against Iranian security forces in southeastern Iran. The group advocates for stronger rights and improved living conditions for the Baluchi minority.
on tuesday, 6 law enforcement officers were killed Jaish al-Adl militants ambushed a police vehicle along the route in Sibu and Suran districts. The group recently launched simultaneous attacks on military positions in Chabahar and Rusk last week, killing 16 police officers. The clashes also claimed the lives of 18 Jaish al-Adl militants.
On April 5, Abdulhamid called on the government and armed groups to avoid further “shootouts and bloodshed”, stressing that both sides “should sit together and discuss the issue”.
His calls for negotiations between Tehran and Jaish al-Adr so angered the Iranian government that it designated the group a “terrorist”. Fars and Tasnim news agencies, both affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, harshly criticized the Sunni cleric, with Fars claiming that he “knowingly or unknowingly” served the interests of “Western political and security establishments.” He said that
In a separate reaction, Mojtaba Azizi, a government-backed Shiite imam who holds Friday prayers in Zabol, another town in Sistan-Baluchestan province, anonymously referred to Abdulhamid as a member of Jaish al-Adl militants. He accused them of supporting him. Authorities must decisively deal with extremists, including “Israel and evil movements in the Makki Mosque,” Azizi said in what appeared to be a direct attack on Abdulhamid.
In response to the government-orchestrated attack, Abdulhamid accused the regime of refusing to heed the demands of demonstrators and fanning the flames of discontent and violence in the country.
“You don't negotiate with armed people, but have you ever negotiated with unarmed peaceful demonstrators? Have you ever talked to political prisoners about their demands?” asked a Sunni cleric. asked, adding that regime authorities should have listened to and implemented the demands of the Iranian people who have been protesting for the past two years.
Abdulhamid strongly emphasized that he opposes “any kind of violence by anyone or any political party” and supports and encourages “civic action” to change the status quo.
In his sermon, the cleric also referred to the government's strict measures to enforce the law forcing hijab-wearing in Iran. “Violence begets violence…If you want to enforce religious precepts on society, don't resort to violence. It won't work.”
Iranian police announced on Saturday that they would take stricter measures to mandate the wearing of the hijab and take action against those who “violate” the law.
Abdulhamid has become an outspoken and staunch critic of Iran's rulers following Iran's harsh crackdown on the 2022 nationwide uprising sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police. Ta. On September 30, 2022, security forces killed more than 90 protesters near the Abdulhamid Mosque in Zahedan.
One of the latest victims of the Iranian regime's repressive hijab policy was 16-year-old Armita Gheravand. She passed away on October 28, 2023 after being in a coma for about a month due to brain damage sustained during her surgery. Violent encounter with hijab enforcers It is installed at a subway station in Tehran.
Track trends in Iran's international situation live broadcast Tensions continue between Iran and Israel.
