Ayatollah Dastgheib returns to Qoba Mosque after attacks

Qoba Mosue in Shiraz fenced in yesterday

Iron fences set up in response to attacks from pro-government mobs around Qoba Mosque in Shiraz where reformist cleric, Ayatollah Dastgheib, leads the prayers and sermons, were taken down today.

Ayatollah Dastgheib gave a speech today at the Mosque condemning yesterday’s attacks insisting that even the supreme leader cannot be in support of such vicious attacks against a mosque.

On Friday, as Iran marked its solidarity with the people of Palestine on Qods Day, close to 200 Basij plain clothes forces attacked Qoba Mosque. The attack came after an announcement signed by “the pious followers of the supreme leader in Fars Province and the holy city of Shiraz” was distributed in Shiraz mosques the night before calling for the prosecution of Ayatollah Dastgheib.

The statement accused Ayatollah Dastgheib of being the “perpetrator of satanic plans” and “speaking the language of the enemy” as well as “threatening the religious beliefs of the people” by sitting at the head of Qoba Mosque.

The statement went on to demand that Ayatollah Dastgheib be removed from his position at the Mosque and warned the Fars Province and City of Shiraz authorities that if they do not comply with their demands, they would have to take matters into their own hands.

Governor of Shiraz, Hossein Ghasemi had reportedly appeared at the scene of attacks on Qoba Mosque to stop the crowd but he was forced to leave as the mob hurled rocks at his car.

A number of Ayatollah Dastgheib supporters were injured in yesterday’s attack.

A similar attack on Qoba Mosque last December also led to the fencing of the mosque and the closure of the facilities for a number of days.

Ayatollah Dastgheib’s website reports that the attackers are angered by the refusal of the governors of Fars and Shiraz to comply with their demands against Ayatollah Dastgheib.