Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid, speaking today (January 9th, 2026) at the Friday prayer ceremony in Zahedan, referred to the “recent uprising of the Iranian nation” and the popular protests in various cities across the country, stating that the people’s objective in these protests is the creation of major changes.
🔹 Repeated Warnings About “Systemic Corruption” Were Ignored
According to the official information portal of the Office of the Sunni Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdolhamid said: Everyone is aware of the current conditions of the country and knows the situation in which people are living. People’s pockets are empty, and economic problems have reached a point where a significant portion of our dear compatriots are in need of bread just to be able to eat their fill during the day and night, while Iran is one of the richest countries in the world.
He added: We had repeatedly warned that the country was moving toward systemic financial corruption, which is extremely dangerous and would eventually push the country into a deadlock. However, these warnings were ignored. National resources were plundered, vast sums of capital were transferred, and certain individuals seized these assets and fled. As a result, historic Iranian banks and financial institutions, including qard-al-hasanah funds, collapsed and went bankrupt.
🔹 In Previous Protests, The People’s Voice Was Not Heard; Officials Could Have Reformed Affairs With Minimal Changes
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan stated: The people of Iran felt that the country was heading toward a dead end, and they raised their voices and criticized the situation. I, too, felt it my duty, and for a long time I have voiced constructive criticism from this pulpit and warned that if policies do not change, the country will face a deadlock. Unfortunately, no attention was paid to these remarks, and many considered them a disturbance.
He noted that, in fact, most people viewed these statements—widely circulated and analyzed across Iran—as sincere, and that they indeed were sincere and not driven by ill intent. He said: If only the officials had accepted these words. We said that the country needs change, and officials could have corrected matters with the least amount of change.
He further emphasized: The Iranian nation has come onto the scene several times. In 2019, people took to the streets and protested, suffering heavy casualties, yet their voices were not heard. In 2022, during the Mahsa movement and the Bloody Friday incident, people once again came forward, shouted, and demanded change—but again their voices were not heard, and as a result, the country moved toward a deadlock.
🔹 In The Current Protests, The Iranian Nation Has Displayed A “National Resolve” And Speaks With One Voice For “Change”
Referring to the recent uprising of the Iranian people, Mawlana Abdolhamid said: All Iranians feel that the country has completely reached a dead end, and conditions have deteriorated to the point where people fear dying of hunger in the future. The recent uprising, which began nearly twelve days ago, is directly related to this reality.
He stressed: This time, the people of Iran have come onto the scene with the aim of bringing about major changes, because they feel that there is no other path to salvation except through fundamental transformation. Last night, everyone witnessed the scene the Iranian people created—in this cold weather—in various cities: women and men, the elderly and the young, all social classes, ethnic groups, denominations, and religions.
He added: In recent days, the Iranian people have demonstrated their unity. Everyone is saying the same thing and, with one voice, demanding change.
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan further stated: Iranians have decided, through unity and cohesion, to come forward for the reconstruction of their country and to reclaim their dignity, honor, and national greatness.
He concluded: In these protests, the people of Iran have displayed a national resolve, and this national resolve indicates that the will of the Almighty is aligned with this cause, for an entire nation does not unite upon error. Be assured that God’s will is also in this direction, for He has brought the hearts of people from different backgrounds closer together and made them share one another’s pain—clear evidence that these people will not retreat from their demands.
🔹 The Nation’s Uprising Seeks To “Cut Off Internal And External Hands From National Interests” And To Establish “Amicable Relations With The Entire World”
Mawlana Abdolhamid said: The nation’s uprising aims to return all national interests and capital to the Iranian people themselves and to sever the powerful hands that have reached toward the nation’s interests, plundered oil and other national resources, and destroyed them. The people of Iran also want to cut off external hands that reach toward the country’s national resources and are financed from here, because these assets—by religious, legal, and customary standards—rightfully belong to the Iranian people, who are hungry.
He added: The will of the Iranian nation is for its country to maintain amicable relations with the entire world, and for Iran—given its people and unique geographic position—to become a hub of the economy and a center of science and knowledge, a source of good for all nations, and for no harm to be exported from this country to other countries and peoples.
🔹 Through Their Slogans, The People Have Shown They Seek “Justice And Freedom” And “True Meritocracy”
Mawlana Abdolhamid further stated: The decision of the Iranian people is that competent and capable individuals should be placed at the helm of the country’s affairs, and that the distribution of positions and responsibilities should not be based on personal connections, parties, or factions. Rather, the capacities of all men and women, ethnicities, denominations, and social groups should be utilized, and affairs should be entrusted to those who are truly qualified.
He said: Through their slogans, the people have demonstrated that they demand the implementation of justice and political freedoms—freedom of parties, the pen and expression, and belief—and that the vast potential of the Iranian nation be showcased in upholding justice, freedom, mutual tolerance, and ethnic and religious diversity.
🔹 Officials Must Yield To The People’s Demands And Submit To The Will Of The Nation
Mawlana Abdolhamid also advised officials to yield to the demands of the nation, addressing them as follows: You officials have witnessed the nation’s uprising; therefore, yield to the people’s demands and submit to the people—this is in the best interest of the country, the people, and yourselves. In 1979, the Iranian nation demonstrated its will and you were pleased; today, when the people’s demands are even more pronounced than then, all of us should accept these demands. We hope that Almighty God grants a bright future to the Iranian nation and removes the problems that have burdened the people for a long time.
🔹 “Peaceful Protest” Is The People’s Right / Protesters Should Avoid “Destruction” And “Confrontation,” And Officers Should Not Stand Against The People
Continuing his remarks, the Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan described peaceful protest as a legal right of the people and said: Protesting and presenting demands are the people’s legal rights, and they are exercising this right by being present in the streets. Protesters should strive to keep their protests peaceful—avoid destruction and confrontation, refrain from insults, and do not use abusive language.
Addressing officers and commanders, he added: My advice to all officers and commanders is that you are the children of the nation and the capital of the country; therefore, do not stand against the people. You are Iranian, and you hold dignity and respect in the eyes of the people. Respect the national will that has emerged.
🔹 Provincial Security Must Be Preserved; Demands Should Be Raised Through “Civil Means” / Protesters Should Beware Of “Infiltrators”
In concluding his remarks at the Zahedan Friday prayer ceremony, Mawlana Abdolhamid emphasized the preservation of provincial security, stating: Sistan and Baluchestan is a border province. My recommendation is that the province’s security must be maintained, and road blockades, drawing weapons, and creating insecurity must be strictly avoided. The people of the province should stand united alongside the rest of the Iranian nation while also safeguarding security.
He noted: Demands should be raised through civil means. Just as civil methods have been used up to now, success in the future also lies in continuing this same approach. The civil path will yield results.
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan also referred to protests in the province in previous years, warning about the presence of infiltrating elements seeking to push peaceful protests toward violence, and urged the people to remain vigilant in this regard.