Ahmad Khatami Most Likely to Lead Friday Prayers

Several opposition websites as well as government websites are confirming that indeed the radical cleric Ahmad Khatami and not Rafsanjani will lead the Friday Prayers for Qods day. In addition Ahmadinejad will be giving a speech before the prayer ceremony. Given the fact that Rafsanjani was supposed to lead and he has not given a sermon in months, it is clear the regime is in chaos trying to purge all moderate opposition including Rafsanjani.

The reformist website mowjcamp is trying to put a positive spin on the developments:

After a series of contradictions and cancellations (which were all signs of behind the scenes disputes) the radical conservative cleric Ahmad Khatami will deliver the Friday prayer sermon on Al-Quds day and Ahmadinejad will deliver the pre-sermon speech.

It is no secret that had it not been for Ahmadinejad’s provocative speech just two days after his “defeat,” the protests on the following days might not have been as massive as they were. And yet again it seems that the perpetrators of the coup have committed another foolish mistake by giving an even bigger incentive to citizens to march.

Ahmad Khatami’s role as Imam on Friday in addition to Ahmadinejad’s pre-sermon speech will enrage and motivate Iranians even more and will serve the purpose of providing more opportunity for voicing opposition and disgust towards Ahmadinejad by chanting slogans and sending a clear message to Ahmadinejad that he is not the rightful president of the people.