The arson took place after a series of provocative actions against the Gonabadi Dervish community in Boroujerd, including distributing offensive leaflets and collecting signatures in condemnation of Gonabadi Dervishes in the city.

For two nights, dozens of plainclothes Basij militia surrounded the hosseinieh and directed scattered attacks against Dervishes. In spite of Dervishes’ numerous calls to police, they failed to protect the hosseinieh’s premises and Dervishes inside. After Basij militia destroyed a part of the hosseinieh’s walls, Dervishes were forced to defend themselves. After midnight, the whole building was destroyed by bulldozers, while plainclothes men were chanting slogans against Dervishes.

The pro-government Fars News Agency claimed that the attack of several Gonabadi Dervishes on a local mosque and their insults against a Friday prayer imam instigated the clashes between Gonabadi Dervishes and local Basij militia. At least 180 Dervishes were arrested, and many were injured.