On Tuesday, the Iranian energy grid corporation Tavanir warned illegal bitcoin mining operations that they would be cut off from their supply. Following the announcement, pictures of a mining facility set up in a mosque went viral on social media.
Also Read: Iranian Energy Grid Blames 7% Consumption Increase on Bitcoin Miners
Mining in a Mosque
On June 25, Tavanir’s spokesperson Mostafa Rajabi Mashhad explained to the press that illicit bitcoin mining facilities have increased the last two months of power consumption by more than 7%. During the first week of June, it was reported that some miners were using places like government buildings and mosques to power their mining rigs. In August 2018, Iran’s Senate Standing Committee on Power told mosque leaders that they would continue receiving free electricity. However, the deal came with a stipulation as mosque leaders were required to announce a fatwa against the use of stolen electricity. The very next month, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace, Abolhassan Firouzabadi, told the press that mining was officially recognized as an industry in Iran.
The day after Mostafa Rajabi Mashhad emphasized that illegal bitcoin mining operations would be shut down, Twitter user Rmahdavii shared a photo of a bitcoin mine operating inside a mosque. The picture he shared shows a bunch of miners on racks within the confines of the place of worship. Rmahdavii’s tweet, which has over 4,900 likes and 638 retweets, says “You are a Bitcoin mosque — Qali-Allah.” Mahsa Alimardani explains that “mosques receive free energy in Iran and Iranians have set up Bitcoin miners in them — There’s around 100 here, producing around $260,000 USD a year.” Alimardani added:
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