People Have a Duty to Pay Our Expenses, Clerics Say

A controversial speech by a seminary student claiming that people have a duty to pay the expenses of clerics has sparked outrage.

A video posted on social media and reported by “Rouydad 24” reveals the audacity of seminary students in extorting money from the public.

A seminary student whose identity remains unclear stated during a speech: “We have expenses. Who should help us? The people! We serve the Imam of the Age, and you too have a duty to give us clerics money. If you don’t help the servant of the Imam of the Age, it means you are unworthy. I will do you a favor by taking money from the people. Whoever is unworthy of giving money to the rites of Imam Hussein and serving the Imam of the Age should spend his money on medicine and doctors, or pick up his daughter from the street.”

He continued by referring to a statement by Ali Khamenei, in which he authorized clerics, promoters of virtue, and other regime elements to have “free rein,” saying: “The leader said ‘free rein,’ this means officials don’t give us money and we must collect it from the people. Let your measure and ruler be the leader’s words, and if anyone says anything, ignore it and turn to the right. We clerics are straightforward, and our reputation won’t be damaged. Do you know where we learned this? For 1400 years, Shiism has been run with people’s money, and I as a seminary student also produce content whose money I must take from you people.”

The audacious remarks of this seminary student have triggered widespread reactions among the public. He also continued his speech by insulting people with vulgar language, accusing them of wanting to eliminate the clergy.

A more complete video of his speech can be viewed below.