Students of different universities of Iran gathered last week in the Grand Makki mosque and Darululoom Zahedan, Iran, to meet Islamic scholars and intellectuals. The theme of the meeting was “15th (Qamari) Century; Rise of Islamic Awakening & Justice-seeking, Wane of Despotism & Dictatorship”, that started its scheduled programs on Thursday morning, April 26, 2012.
The first stage was begun by nice recitation of the Qur’an by ‘Qari Isma’eel Rastakhiz’, a prominent Qari of Sistan-Baluchistan. Then, one of the students presented his essay. He pointed out to the sacrifices of Muslims in the beginning years of Islam and termed the current public uprisings and awakening movements in Muslim countries consequences of their efforts.
The student urged saying that self-purification and getting rid of pride are the most important causes of development, especially for the young and educated generation. He said, ‘Lack attention to science and arts is the main reason of economic backward of Muslims.’
After listening to a beautiful song, a student of Darululoom Zahedan from the final year, Dawrat-ul-Hadeeth, presented his article to the audience. His article was titled “A Discourse with University Students”.
Muhammad Yousufi said that students of Darululoom were so happy to meet students of universities. He pointed, ‘Contact of these two stratums can be corner stone for advancement of Islamic aims and projects.’
The student of Darululoom Zahedan called on students of universities to study Islamic civilization deeply that is very productive instead of depending on the Western productions and researches in each and every field.
Sermon of Shaikh Othman Qalandarzahi
The rector of “Madinat-ul-Uloom” seminary in Khash, Iran, and Khateeb of the city initiated his sermon by reading some verses from the Sourah Kahf.
He pointed that the reason behind mentioning the story of some youth in detail in the chapter is that those believer youth had four particular features: 1. Faith; 2. Constancy on the faith; 3. saying the truth before oppressive ruler; 4. Seeking help from Allah Almighty in all circumstances.
The eminent scholar of Khash went on to say, ‘It is understandable from the verses that hearts of youth are like a clean board, you can carve on that and write which will remain forever. If Iman is carved out on the heart of any young, it will remain and no one would be able to remove it. The faith was inscribed on the hearts of the Companions of Holy Prophet, peace & blessings be upon him, and nothing could erase it.’
After the sermon of Shaikh Qalandarzahi, one of students who changed the prominent book «ماذا خسر العالم بإنحطاط المسلمین», Islam and the world, into poetic form, presented some parts of his poems.
Speech of Mufti Muhammad Qasem Qasemi
The outstanding thinker of Iran’s Sunnis, head of Dar-ul-Ifta Darululoom Zahedan and editor-in-chief of Neday Islam International magazine, Mufti Muhammad Qasem Qasemi ended the first stage of the meeting by his illustrative discourse.
He turned over the pages of early history of Muslims and said, ‘In the nineteenth century, the Muslim world was in a deep sleep; while the West began to wake up utilizing the experiences of the past in order to develop and extend its power.’
Maulana Qasemi continued his points saying that the European powers targeted the Muslim world to access their goals. In order to debilitate Muslim Ummah, they targeted three sensitive and strategic regions; “Indian sub-continent” was one of them, it was a vast and populous area. Their second target was “Egypt”; it was the cultural and intellectual center of the Muslim World. “Turkey” was the third target of the Western expansionist powers. It was the heart of Islamic caliphate. They penetrated in these three vital regions by different channels; Turkey was destabilized by collapse of the Islamic caliphate. Egypt was targeted by infiltration in educational and cultural institutes. While, the Indian sub-continent was occupied by the Eastern Company and trade.
‘The consequence of targeting educational centers was open objections of new graduates on Islam, Islamic scholars and disparaging Islamic teachings. The West wanted to change societies by targeting young and educated generations. Thus, the Muslim world has been dependent upon the West,’ the eminent Islamic author pointed.
Indicating to the title of the meeting, Mufti Qasemi urged saying that the new-erupted Islamic awakening in the Middle east should be protected; in this regard, some points must be realized: 1. Stenciling the Holy Qur’an, Sunnah and pious predecessors; 2. Sobriety; 3. Forming the changes and revolutions for Islam; 4. Implementation of justice; 5. Piety of new rulers; 6. Training specialist and dutiful people; 7. Taking benefits of media and propagation.
At the end of his discourse, the senior professor at Darululoom Zahedan warned, ‘All should be vigilant lest the Islamic awakening turns into Islam-phobia; this is the biggest danger. It would appear if the above-mentioned points are neglected.’
Sermon of Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hameed
The rector of Darululoom Zahedan, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hameed Ismaeelzahi, began the first part of his sermon by reciting the holy verse: «ومن یرغب عن ملة إبراهیم إلا من سفه نفسه و لقد اصطفیناه فی الدنیا و إنه فی الاخرة لمن الصالحین. » And said that Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, was a great person who is respectable for the followers of all religions; every one is proud of him and tries to relate himself with Abraham.
He urged saying that Holy Prophet Muhammad and his imitators are the real followers of Abraham. His religion was Hanif, upright, as Islam is. So there is no difference between the nation of Ibrahim and Muslims.
Reiterating the focal point, Shaikh Ismaeelzahi said, ‘Allah Almighty introduced whoever shirks the religion of Ibrahim, Islam, “idiot” and ignorant; even though they are philosophers and inventors. The verse means mankind has been created for a higher purpose; that is worshiping only Allah and being humble and submissive. The Sublime Allah created the entire universe for the comfort of mankind; we are not created just to eat, drink, earn and enjoy! Our rank is much higher than these things. So, the one who knows Allah is a knowledgeable, wise and intellectual person; even if s/he is a sheepherder. According the Qur’an, if any one does not realize Allah, s/he is an ignorant; even if s/he is an inventor or philosopher professionally.’
Addressing the students, Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah further stated, ‘My advice to you is to get acquaintance of Allah; but you should know that only cognition is not enough. Besides that, submission is also must. As Ibrahim said “I am submissive to Allah”; you should imitate Allah Almighty as well. Be a perfect Muslim and be sure that Islam is the only remedy. Offer five-time prayers on time constantly.’
He termed specialization in all sciences the secret of development and added more saying that students must struggle to get higher education and specialization in various sciences and subjects. Both Islamic and modern sciences are the undeniable need of the society. Students of universities need to be aware of Islam and its related sciences.
Iran’s Sunnis not a danger but opportunity for regime and Shia:
Shaikh Abdol-Hameed Ismaeelzahi rebuffed despiteful reports suggest that the Sunni community of Iran is a “possible peril” for the Iranian current regime and Shia community in Iran in the second part of his speech.
Talking to Iranian Sunni students in the Grand Makki mosque, he added more saying, ‘Some elements have been circulating reports that Sunnis create danger for the regime and Shia; these are false reports, because Sunnis of Iran are neither possible danger nor actually jeopardy for any one. Rather Sunnis are opportunity for the regime and Iran’s Shias if the regime takes Sunnis into confidence by pragmatic steps not mere slogans, giving them their due legal rights like equality and freedom in beliefs as the Constitution affirms. Besides, justice must be implemented in employment of Sunni youth. Then Sunnis will be the biggest opportunity for unity of the Muslim nation across the Muslim world.’
Addressing in the final session of the Sunni university students’ gathering, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed pointed out towards some problems of the Sunni community saying that Sunni Muslims of Iran mostly live in the frontier areas; they remained away of reputable universities and important educational centers of the country as they are located in the central cities of Iran. Thus, Sunnis’ intellectuals and academians are less than others. Besides, there are some other reasons which caused their backward in academic grounds.
‘So, we must struggle more to obtain academic development by adopting Shari’ah and getting specialization inside and outside of the country. Our youth should make serious efforts to get higher education to fulfill the deficits, we should be signs of honor for Islam and Muslims,’ he underlined.
Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah indicated to complaint and protest of some officials over meeting of Sunni students with their scholars emphasizing, ‘Sunni students of universities have been visiting their religious scholars across the country; these visits are in accordance with ‘unity of university and seminary’, a point that the regime calls on it. This gathering that is going to be over in the Grand Makki mosque is only a visit between Sunni students and Islamic scholars. It is not a formal conference or political meeting; formal conferences end up with issuing statements or demands at the end while we talk about the unification of the Muslim Ummah.’
Pointing out to halt of some students by the officials to the gathering, he went on to say that many students as well as professors could not take part in this gathering; these are the narrow minds and sights forced by some elements. No one has heard that in any state around the globe residents of one province can not travel to another province unless they show entry permission or visa.
Shaikh further said, ‘There are different statistics about the population of Sunnis in Iran; I confirm they, at least, populate twenty percent of the whole population, it means we are fifth part of the population. Ahl-us-Sunnah is a fact as Shias are fact; no one can deny Shias’ existence and their rights in any country. The regime should see us and tolerate our existence.’
Urging on his main point, Maulana Abdol-Hameed stated, ‘We announce strictly that the Sunni community is not a danger for the regime and Shia, we do not support extremists; sobriety is our path, we will follow up the case of our due depriving rights through legal ways. We believe that Sunnis must enjoy full freedom to establish prayers in any part of the country without any hesitation.’
Addressing revolutionary sides in the Middle East, he said, ‘We address all the revolutionaries in Egypt, Yemen, Tunis and Libya, whoever holds the power should realize rights of all, their sights should be broad and equal, they should listen to their opponents and take care of human rights. We address our power-holders to widen their sights realizing rights of the nation.’
Rector of Darululoom Zahedan indicated to a letter sent by a university student who was forbidden to participate the gathering saying, ‘We have received a letter sent by a student; he complains the officials over forbidding him to travel to Zahedan. He wrote that he was weeping while writing us!’
Shaikh Ismaeelzahi added more saying that the important and considerable point is that everyone should be careful, this world is mortal and disloyal. It did not accomplish with the Prophet Muhammad, peace & blessings be upon him, and the Guided Caliphates. The only thing that would remain forever is a good and eternal fame. Everybody should try to gain a good name in future generations.
Male & female students; pioneers of revolutions against despotism:
Shaikh Abdol-Hameed addressed the students at the end of his speech saying, ‘Oh students, you are our future! My advice to you is that do not get education, both Islamic and modern, to earn money or any rank and status in the society. Rather your study should be for providing service to people and society. Do not seek education for money and employment. Sustenance has been guaranteed by Exalted Allah. Keep studying with enthusiasm and hope. I am sure you will find an opportunity to serve the nation in future by the permission of Allah.’
‘O daughters and sons! You are the honor of our society in universities; your piety, dignity and chastity are honor of the society. Allah forbids; you should not go on a wrong way. Female students should know that progress does not lay on exhibitionism and leaving Islamic mantle. It is shameful if Muslim female student thinks that development and civilization depend on opposing Shar’ee clothing and showing beauty and parts of body. Be ideal in universities in the fields of morals, study, modesty, abidance with Shari’ah and amenability,’ he underscored.
Shaikh said more that male and female students were pioneers of the revolutions in the Middle East. Subject of suit and the call of Islam are justice, trueness and legislation of Shari’ah. Those regimes were tyrants who were stepped down by the nations.
Continuing his advices to male and female students, the prominent Sunni leader stated, ‘Protect your religious, cultural and ethnic identity. Neither we want any Shia to convert to our community nor do we want to call on people towards our culture and identity. Rather we want to protect our beliefs.’
‘We believe it is the right of every nation and community to resort its national and religious identity protecting its beliefs and religion. You are Sunnis, you must forefend your beliefs. If any nation abandons its cultural and religious identity to get prompt material interests, it would face chute; such communities are dead in fact,’ Shaikh Ismaeelzahi pointed.
The meeting of Sunni students and Islamic scholars and intellectuals finished at Friday night by humble prayer of Maulana Abdol-Hameed in the Grand Makki mosque.
In outskirts of the meeting
Apart of meets between Ulama and students, there were some sidelong programs and incidents; some are as following:
1- The session of question and answer between students and Ulama after noon till sunset;
2- Holding book fair on the ground of Darululoom Zahedan;
3- Competition of poetical debate;
4- Officials’ obstacles for students of some provinces and regions to reach Zahedan.
SunniOnline.us
Comments