In Iran, protesters set fire to a mosque calling for a secular state

Large-scale anti-government protests in Iran have reportedly reached a new stage, turning into an open confrontation with the country’s religious institutions. An incident occurred in the Iranian city of Kerman in which protesters set fire to the Zahra Mosque. The incident is part of a wider context of ongoing unrest in the country.

According to EDnews portal, citing Tasnim news agency, Zahra Mosque was purposefully set on fire by protesters. It is noted that the actions of the protesters caused significant damage to the religious edifice.

Analyzing the causes and consequences of what happened, sources express different points of view. It is noted that the so-called «Western institutions» may play a significant role in the protests in Iran. At the same time, actions such as the burning of mosques are seen as a sign of a worldwide trend towards secularization. Some opinions also emphasize that such large-scale events do not occur without a higher will, which gives them a special context in the regional reflection.

Recall, earlier we reported that on New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam there was a large-scale fire in the historic church Vondelkerk, built in the XIX century. The fire completely engulfed the building, and its spire collapsed, causing «irreparable damage» to one of the most valuable national monuments of Amsterdam.