Iran's lawmakers stage marches over Ashura Day protests

TEHRAN, Dec. 29 (MNA) -- Majlis lawmakers staged marches inside and outside parliament on Tuesday in protest against anti-government riots that occurred last Sunday, which was the day of Ashura.


They chanted slogans in support of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.


Ashura is the tenth day of the lunar month of Muharram and the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his 72 companions.


Mourning ceremonies were held across Iran during the first ten days of Muharram, climaxing on the day of Ashura.


Protesters took to the streets in central Tehran on Sunday and chanted slogans against top government officials.


Lawmakers decided to go on marches after Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani addressed MPs about the Ashura day incidents and condemned the disrespect toward the sanctities of Islam.


After lawmakers returned to the parliament, Larijani said the marches proved that the Majlis will not remain silent about such plots.


Commenting on an incident in which some protesters insulted the Leader, Larijani said velayat-e faqih (rule by the supreme jurisprudent) is the pillar of the Islamic Revolution, and if it had not been for velayat-e faqih, Iranians would not have been able to resist against the enemy during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war.


The Coordination Council for the Dissemination of Islamic Ideology has called for demonstrations on Wednesday across the country to protest against the Ashura day anti-government protests.


In Isfahan, people gathered in Enqelab Square on Tuesday to protest against Sunday’s riots.