The representative of the supreme religious authority; Sheikh Abd al-Mahdi al-Karbala'i read during the sermon of the Friday prayer of the 23rd Rabi’ Thani 1441 AH corresponding to December 20, 2019, held at the holy shrine of Imam al-Hussayn (peace be upon him) the text received from the office of the supreme religious authority in Najaf; his eminence Sayed al-Sistani in Najaf, in which he stated:
The country is still living in difficult and worrisome conditions, as different groups of citizens continue to participate in peaceful demonstrations and sit-ins demanding reform, while some of its actors are subjected to assassination, kidnapping and threat, and in return many government departments and educational institutions are forced to close their doors without a necessity. Moreover, the property of some citizens is subject to burning and vandalism, and many complain about the weakness of the state's prestige and some rebel against the laws and regulations regulating public life in the country without deterrence or impediment.