Iran: Sunni MPs’ demands from the Supreme Leader

TEHRAN- Following the issuance of some illegal orders by the Iranian government in the name of “Reformation of Sunni Seminaries” which has been named newly “Council of Sunni Seminaries’ Schematization,” Sunni parliamentarians wrote a letter to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenehi.

The Sunni representatives asked the Leader to insure implementation of Articles 12, 15 and 19 of the Constitution. They demanded reformation of Article 115, as well.

“The Sunni community of Iran strived to get permission to build a mosque for Sunni Muslims of Tehran; time and again we contacted the pertained authorities, but they have not agreed yet to allow us for establishment of the mosque. Due to importance of Salah, five-time prayers, in Islam, we ask you to help us in this regard,” Sunni PMs reiterated.

In another part of their letter, Sunnis’ representatives underlined that due to Article 115, Sunni dignitaries and intellectuals are deprived from candidacy in presidential elecions. “We want reformation of Article 15 by a committee under your supervision,” they stated.

It is worthy to mention that Article 12 of the Iranian Constitution declares “Islam and Ja’fari jurisprudence” the official religion of the state, but other Islamic sects such as Hanafi, Shafe’i, Hanbali, Maleki and Zaidi are free in their educational and religious affairs.

While Article 15 of the Constitution states that “Persian” is the official and national language of Iran. But local languages can be used in press and educational institutes of the regions. Article 19 urges equal rights for all tribes and ethnic groups.

Source: SunniOnline