They issued a statement in which they said, “it is a religious duty” to not remain silent in the face of such oppression and abuses against Gonabadi Dervishes, and any infringement of Dervishes’ rights “is against Sharia law and is haram.” Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani also issued a fatwa inviting people to have a decent relationship with Gonabadi Dervishes, although he stated, it’s better to “not stand behind a Dervish as the follower in prayer.”