The High Number of Those Killed in Recent Protests Has “Astonished and Shocked” the People of Iran and the World

Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid, in the Friday prayer sermon of Zahedan on January 23rd, 2026, expressed deep sorrow over the high number of people killed during the protests of January 8th and 9th . While once again offering condolences to the bereaved families across the country, he emphasized that this scale of human casualties has “astonished and shocked” the people of Iran and the global community.

People of Iran Voiced Their Problems in the Recent Protests / People Link “Economic Problems” to “Politics” and “State Governance”
According to the information portal of the Office of the Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdolhamid stated: Recently, following the sharp rise in the dollar exchange rate, the severe devaluation of the national currency, and runaway, uncontrollable inflation, trade, business, and people’s livelihoods faced serious challenges, which led to the emergence of popular protests.
He noted that the people of Iran have long been facing economic and livelihood difficulties and view these problems as being linked to the country’s policies and governance. As a result, protests expanded, objections were raised against state officials, and people shouted out their grievances.

Thousands of Women, Men, Children, and Teenagers Were Killed in the Recent Protests
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan continued: Unfortunately, during these protests, a series of tragic events occurred—things that should never have happened. Protests exist in all countries, and sometimes they turn violent or even devolve into unrest. However, under international regulations, there are established methods for controlling such situations or dispersing demonstrators, such as the use of rubber bullets, water cannons, or tear gas. These methods are commonly used worldwide, and fatalities in such protests and incidents are usually limited and rare.
He added: Even when confronting those considered to be seeking the overthrow of governments, countries use conventional measures such as arrest and other lawful methods. Killing and beating people is something that is avoided everywhere in the world. Unfortunately, in our country, there were casualties in the events of 2019 and 2022 as well. But in the January 8th – 9th massacre thousands of people—men and women, children and adolescents—were killed, something that was unimaginable and that astonished and shocked the people of Iran and the entire world. Therefore, under these circumstances, when the Iranian nation is mourning and stunned, it is necessary for all intellectuals and experts to step forward, speak out, and think of a solution.

Those Killed in the Recent Uprising Were Not “Foreigners”; They Were “The People of Iran”
Mawlana Abdolhamid further emphasized: Those who were killed in the recent uprising were the people of Iran; they were not foreigners, nor were they dependent on foreign powers. It is possible that foreign actors may support them for their own interests, but the reality is that these were the people of Iran who have been facing problems for years and have been protesting.

No Government Should Treat Its People with Violence / Gaining Public Satisfaction by Any Possible Means Is a Duty of Governments
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan added: No government anywhere in the world should treat its people with violence or kill them. Rather, listening to the people, addressing their demands, and resolving their problems are the duties of governments. Around the world, it is customary that when people are dissatisfied and protest, governments sit down with them, listen to their concerns, address their demands, and, if necessary, reform themselves to meet the people’s expectations. In some cases, many officials resign, and governments try by every possible means to gain public satisfaction. Unfortunately, this did not happen in our country.
He stated: Well-wishers and sincere advisers have been warning about the country’s situation for a long time. I myself repeatedly, out of concern, warned and said that the country is facing an absolute economic and political deadlock. Some officials said that you are discouraging the people; I responded that I do not want to discourage the people—rather, this is a reality. I want officials and decision-makers to act swiftly and seriously to find solutions for the economy, which is dependent on politics, and to introduce changes in policies. Unfortunately, the warnings of sincere advisers were ignored.
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan concluded: The tragic incidents and losses that have occurred in recent years in the country have led people toward distancing themselves from religion and have serious consequences even for the ruling religion itself. Moreover, when people around the world witness these events, what judgment will they form about Iranian officials?

The Prophet and the Companions Treated Opponents with “Wisdom and Compassion”
Mawlana Abdolhamid continued his remarks by referring to examples of the Prophet Muhammad and the Companions’ wise and compassionate conduct toward hypocrites and opponents, saying: In the early period of Islam, hypocrites used to spy for the enemies of the Muslims and pass on Muslims’ information and news to them. It was suggested to the Prophet Muhammad that these hypocrites—whose numbers were not even large—should be killed. However, the Prophet opposed this and said: If I do such a thing, people around the world will say that Muhammad kills his own people, and this will cause the world to lose trust in me.
He further stated: When ʿAbdullāh ibn Ubayy ibn Salūl, the leader of the hypocrites, died, his son—who was among the sincere Companions—asked the Prophet to give him his blessed garment to clothe ʿAbdullāh ibn Ubayy, hoping that he might be spared the punishment of the grave. The Prophet did so and even performed the funeral prayer for him. This wise and compassionate act led many hypocrites to repent and join the ranks of sincere Muslims.
He added: During the caliphate of ʿUthmān , when a group of rebels and agitators seized the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah and besieged ʿUthmān’s house, the Companions said that if the Caliph permitted, they could eliminate the rebels from Madinah in a single day. However, ʿUthmān rejected this request and said: I am not willing for blood to be shed in the city of the Messenger of Allah and for discord to arise. Although he was the Commander of the Faithful and the Caliph of the Muslims, he refused to allow anyone’s blood to be spilled. He declared his readiness to sit with the opponents, listen to them, and address their demands. Nevertheless, they attacked his house and martyred him while he was reciting the Qur’an.

I Emphasize: Release “Thousands of Detainees from the Recent Protests” and “Political Prisoners”
He once again stressed the release of detainees and political prisoners, stating: I strongly emphasize—this is the demand of all the people—that the thousands who were arrested during the recent protests must be released. I also repeat this demand: release political prisoners as well and listen to what they have to say.

Internet Shutdown Has Dealt a Severe Blow to People’s Livelihoods; Officials Must Restore the Internet Immediately
Mawlana Abdolhamid also called for the restoration of global internet access in the country, saying: For two weeks now, the country’s internet has been cut off, and this shutdown has inflicted a very severe blow on trade and the livelihoods of ordinary people. According to experts, the internet shutdown has caused losses of more than 3 trillion tomans per day to the economy and people’s businesses.
He emphasized: Cutting off the internet causes enormous and irreparable harm to the country and its people. Therefore, officials must immediately restore internet access.

Let All of Us Place Our Trust and Return to Allah the Exalted
At the conclusion of his remarks, the Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan said: We hope, from the court of Allah the Exalted, that He will resolve these problems. Let all of us place our trust in and return to Allah the Exalted. We also ask Allah the Exalted to elevate the ranks of all Iranians who were killed in these events, grant patience and reward to the bereaved, bestow complete healing upon the wounded, and resolve all the problems of the country.