Alluding to the 39th anniversary of Islamic revolution of Iran, the outstanding Iranian Sunni leader said: “We oppose change of the regime, but we think this revolution needs ‘reformation’ from inside.”
Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid began his Friday speech of 2nd Feb. 2018 by the Qur’anic verse: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ سُوءًا فَلَا مَرَدَّ لَهُ وَمَا لَهُمْ مِنْ دُونِهِ مِنْ وَالٍ» and said: “Whatever Allah gives to any nation from blessings, wealth and whip-hand, He does not take them back unless they value the blessings and give thanks.”
“Human beings do not deserve to have posts and wealth individually and naturally, but it is the mere blessing of Allah. So everyone in any position should act upon the divine commands,” he added more.
Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan said: “Governing is a blessing and governors and rulers should implement justice. They should pay attention to all classes of nations and boost their capacity and mind. The rulers of the ex-regime were bestowed with the blessing of governance, but they did not thank Allah. They oppressed people and did not execute justice, thus Allah Almighty took His blessings from them.”
“During Arab spring some regimes were ousted and defeated, because of their ingratitude,” he underlined.
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid termed victory of Islamic revolution of Iran a ‘blessing’ for Iranians which was based on justice and freedom. He said: “Maintenance of this blessing is necessary with giving thanks. Gratitude of the blessing of the revolution is in implementation of justice and an equal eye to all Iranian sects and thoughts. Ethnic and religious diversity is an opportunity for the country and nation.”
President of Darululoom Zahedan said: “I’d like to say conscientiously we want reformation of this regime. We are not enemies of the regime, but we see its reformation necessary. It needs modification in structure.”
“The pressures which bear no benefit and just make people angry should be removed. Islamic Republic of Iran has a great capacity and we have to utilize it, otherwise it will be a cruelty to this regime,” he urged.
Internal radical elements a threat for IRI
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid further said: “The enemies of the regime are not only armed groups and outsider opposition parties, rather those who put obstacles on the constitution and stand before the order of the supreme leader about implementation of justice are also threats to the revolution.”
“Monopolists who do not realize any right for other sects and ethnic communities and when any Sunni citizen gets a post, they object; all of them are enemies of the regime,” he added more.
Khateeb of Sunnis said: “We think the regime belongs to all ethnic and religious sects and even secular elements who live in Iran have some rights. The ongoing situation should be reviewed. 40 years have passed since the revolution and despite large support of the Sunni community from Mr. Rouhani, there is no any Sunni in his cabinet neither women could get any seat.”
“Maybe some scholars and Ulama oppose my opinion on participation of women in management of the country, but my viewpoint is different. I think if we implement many of Islamic laws correctly with a look at the modern world, this Islamic regime could find a better position in the world,” Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said.
He clearly said: “We are Iranians and not destructive, but we demand our rights. Sunnis’ forces should be utilized in different armed forces as they took part in the 8-year long war. At least 20 million Sunnis live in Iran and they should be recognized. Those who oppose Sunnis’ participation in management of the country, they are not revolutionaries.”
Sideline fake adherents of the regime
The most influential Iranian Sunni leader went on to say more: “After 4 decades from the revolution, still there are extremists who show their narrow-minded behavior in different offices, even in power centers like the Guardian Council, parliament and government. The wrong polices and views should be changed. We think this regime needs reform not ousting.”
“In many towns and cities Sunnis and Shias live together, but Sunnis are marginalized. Why their capable forces cannot be engaged on official posts? Unity can be obtained by just acts not slogans,” he added more.
Shaikh underlined: “People are requested to present their demands in a way that the enemies find no opportunity to misuse them. We want peace and we are against jeopardizing stability and security of the country. Islamic Republic of Iran should sideline and marginalize those radicals who advocate the regime untruly while they have looted the country.”
At the end of his speech, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid urged on realization of ‘legal freedoms’ and said: “Freedom of speech and religious liberties should be ensured. We should tolerate criticizes.”