Friday Prayers across Iran: Resistance economy and elections

(Photo: Ayatollah Alamolhoda in Mashhad Friday prayers)

This week, Iran's Friday prayers revolved around February elections, 'resistance economy', and recent Saudi-led pressures on Hezbollah.

n Zabol in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Hojjatoleslam Ali-Akbar Keikha called the elections demonstration of real democracy by Iranians in front of the world, and a proof of Iranians’ obedience of their Supreme Leader. Meanwhile in Zanjan, northwestern Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khatami reiterated the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s remarks and called for retention of the ‘revolutionary spirit’ in the Assembly of Experts. In Yazd, Friday prayers leader also hailed the 62% turnout. Ayatollah Naseri also called for an end to the campaign mood and called for the winners to focus on enhancing the state of economy, religious affairs and culture. "Even in countries claiming democracy, such as the US, we don't see this level of participation" said Ayatollah Tabatabaeinejad, Friday prayers' leader of Isfahan. "Iranians attend the elections quite voluntarily."

In Shahr-e Kord, center of Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari Province, Friday prayers’ leader Nekounam called for further attention to ‘Resistance Economy’, Ayatollah Khamenei’s economic prescription for Iran. Demanding further exploitation of domestic potentials, Nekounam pointed to ‘the enemy’s’ plans to press Iran under the excuse of development of nuclear weapons through economic sanctions, and prevention of Iran's access to defensive weapons. Also in Mashhad Ahmad Alamolhoda called for government's further attention to Resistance Economy. Citing the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, Alamolhoda called resistance economy Iran's only "bunker" in war against Imperialism. He also asked the government to clarify the relation between its international trade agreements and resistance economy.

Meanwhile in Tehran, Ayatollah Emami Kashani addressed Iran's recent ballistic missile drills. "The missile tests in Iran has worried the world, but Iran does this for the sake of its own security, and does not want to interfere anywhere in the world. Iran proved that it favors negotiations with JCPOA."

In Qom, Ayatollah Hosseini Boushehri denounced the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council's decision to designate Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Slamming the council for 'being terrorists and breeding terrorists', Boushehri praised Hezbollah for sacrificing itself for Islam and for Quran, calling the organization "honor of the Arab World".