Crowds of Tehran residents gathered in the Iranian capital’s Enqelab (Revolution) Square to demonstrate their support for the country’s Islamic establishment, condemn the recent violent rioting that broke out under the guise of fuel price protests, and convey their demands to the authorities.
Hujjat al-Islam Sayyed Mohammad-Baqer Alamolhoda spoke to Rasa News Agency on the sidelines of this demonstration and stated, “The people’s right to protest is one of the rights recognized in our country.”
The custodian of Qasim ibn al-Hasan Educational Institute said that protesting and rioting are two separate categories and said, “Protesting is based on intellectual, rational and managerial infrastructure and rioting has no justification except hostility and malice. The work of those who have engaged in rioting and destruction over the last week has nothing to do with protesting, which is the right of the people.”
He pointed out that anarchy, breaking and burning banks and creating terror in society never had anything to do with the protests of the people and said, “The educated and sympathetic people of Iran are sympathetic to the Islamic Revolution and the system. They are Islamic but object to some mismanagement.”
Hujjat al-Islam Alamolhoda emphasized that the ranks of educated popular protesters were separated from the rioters and added, “The interference of the enemies in the recent riots is clear. Some anarchists and rioters came and most of the protests, people created insecurity in several cities for a short time. These people, whether consciously or ignorantly, are active on the enemy front.”
His Eminence said that the enemies of the Islamic Revolution have always shown their hostility to the Iranian people in every possible manner and stated, “The former American Secretary of State and the Former Deputy Secretary of State said ‘we want to break the roots of the Iranian people.’ This statement and similar statements have been made many times and that the actions of the United States have always been on this basis.”
He added, “The Iranian people must know and know that they are facing such oppressive and cruel enemies and for this reason, the understanding and honourable Iranian people responded to the rioters and defended the Islamic system in the best manner.”
Hujjat al-Islam Alamolhoda stated that some people in Iran are fond of the illusions and assistance of foreigners and said, “Those who think they may be able to cooperate with the enemies of the Islamic Revolution for the betterment of society have been deceived and have fallen into the trap of the enemies. That which the enemies show to some of our officials is nothing but a mirage.”