Senior cleric pulls out of Friday Prayers

According to Iranian Labour New Agency ILNA, today the senior cleric announced his retirement from leading Friday prayers which he has being doing for many years. He also asked for “forgiveness” for possible “errors” he might have made in carrying out his responsibilities as the Imam or leader of the Friday Prayer.

“Our people have problems and must resolve their problems by seeking sanctuary in prayer,” he told worshipers.

He also thanked the organising officials of the Friday prayer including the Supreme Leader.

The cleric also stressed the importance of the role of Basij throughout the years but stated that the Basij forces must not move away from their “original path.”

Ayatollah Javadi Amoli’s retirement from Friday prayers comes at a time when much of the criticism towards the Supreme Leader’s performance and handling the situation after the elections has come from inside the religious establishment as well as other sectors of Iranian society.