Iran regime’s Jomhouri-e Eslami newspaper has revealed that the Ministry of Oil has allocated 287 billion tomans over the past three years for the construction of nine mosques in various cities across the country. This report has sparked widespread criticism regarding the ministry’s priorities and its spending under the guise of “social responsibility.”
In a piece published on Saturday, January 25, titled “What Does Building a Mosque Have to Do with the Ministry of Oil?” the newspaper disclosed that more than 50 trillion tomans from the ministry’s budget have been earmarked for social responsibility initiatives in the last three years. However, the article highlights a glaring issue: there is no transparent mechanism to account for how these funds are spent.
Social Responsibility or Misguided Spending?
The Ministry of Oil’s social responsibility budget is meant to improve the welfare of communities in oil-rich regions, addressing critical issues like water scarcity, inadequate health and educational infrastructure, and environmental challenges. Despite this, reports suggest that a significant portion of the funds has been diverted to religious infrastructure projects.
The Jomhouri-e Eslami criticized the ministry for deviating from its core mission during a time when it should prioritize circumventing sanctions and bolstering the oil sector. The article sarcastically suggested that the ministry might be attempting to “form an army of prayers to overcome the machinations of strong opponents.” It further questioned the logic behind such expenditures, saying, “Even if we accept this spending was tailored to certain individuals’ preferences, the Ministry of Oil must clarify its connection to mosque construction.”
Questionable Priorities and Local Backlash
This is not the first time the ministry has faced scrutiny for its spending priorities. In 2022, Ham Mihan newspaper reported that the Ministry of Oil allocated 50 billion tomans for the reconstruction and development of the Jamkaran Mosque, while also funding housing for clerics in Jahrom, supporting the Salehieh Seminary in Kazerun, and contributing to the development of the Shrine of Shah-e-Cheragh in Shiraz.
Despite official statements claiming that the primary focus of the social responsibility budget is oil-rich regions, these actions have fueled public dissatisfaction. Residents in provinces like Khuzestan—a major oil-producing region plagued by pollution, deteriorating infrastructure, and inadequate public services—feel neglected. Many believe that the Ministry of Oil prioritizes exploiting resources over addressing the basic needs of local communities.
Babak Darabi, a social advisor to the Minister of Oil, defended the expenditures, stating that a “very small percentage” of the social responsibility budget goes to non-oil-rich provinces. However, this explanation has done little to alleviate public frustration.
Broader Issues in Public Spending
The controversy extends beyond the Ministry of Oil. Mosque construction has been a recurring point of contention in Iran, with various state and municipal bodies allocating significant funds for religious projects. For example, the proposed construction of a mosque in Tehran’s Qeytarieh Park was halted after the donor withdrew support, following public outcry. Similarly, Behrouz Sheikh Rudi, a former deputy of the Tehran City Council, revealed that between 2011 and 2024, 0.5% of the municipal budget was consistently allocated to mosques and religious infrastructure.
A Persistent Question: Mismanagement or Intentional Neglect?
The discontent in oil-rich regions like Khuzestan continues to grow. During a recent visit to the province, Masoud Pezeshkian, the regime’s president, acknowledged the dire conditions and widespread neglect. “I still have no answer as to why there are so many problems in Khuzestan province,” he admitted in a speech on January 24.
While the regime justifies its religious spending under the pretense of social responsibility, many Iranians see it as a misallocation of resources, particularly in a country grappling with economic hardship, environmental crises, and a deteriorating quality of life in marginalized regions.
As criticism mounts, the Iranian regime faces growing pressure to address the lack of transparency and prioritize the welfare of its citizens over symbolic religious investments.
Source » irannewsupdate