Shaikh Reacts to Demolition of Iranshahr’s Grand Mosque

Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid expressed his deep sorrow and concern over the demolition of the under construction new grand mosque of the Sunni community in Iranshahr city of Iranian Balochistan, calling on the officials to restore the permission of building the mosque.

The new grand mosque of Iranshahr was demolished by the municipality authorities on Saturday, January 23, 2021 which was opposed and decried by Sunni scholars and common people widely.

In this regard, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid the most influential Iranian Sunni leader issued a statement saying: “The people of Iranshahr have the right to have a large mosque. The demolition of the under construction mosque is against the law and it will leave bad consequences. It was an unwise act.”

The Friday prayer leader of Sunnis in Zahedan said that the provincial officials had promised him that they would prevent demolition of the mosque, but unfortunately this did not happen and the foundation of the mosque was destroyed.

Shaikh Abdol-Hamid called on the authorities to prevent any action that hits the security of the country.

President of Darululoom Zahedan expressed his views about the head of this mosque’s trustees and said: “Mawlana Mohammad Tayyeb, the trustee and custodian of the Sunni Grand Mosque of Iranshahr is a very moderate and law-abiding person who does not seek dispute, but he seeks unity and rapprochement. Also, Ulama of the province accept him and support him. Mawlana Mohammad Tayeb is the son of Mawlana Qamar-ud-Din, may Allah have mercy on him. Mawlana Qamar-ud-Din also had a fatherly position for the Shiites and Sunnis of Iranshahr.”

The Friday Imam of Zahedan added: “It was expected that the construction of this mosque would be tolerated. I consider this demolition harmful to unity and against the interests of the people.”

“Provincial and national officials should boost their tolerance. The people expect the officials in Sistan and Baluchestan not to allow extremists and narrow-minded people to ruin the efforts made for security and unity in this province with their radical behavior,” he further said.

At the end, Shaikh advised the people to “keep calm” and said: “The issue of Iranshahr Grand Mosque should be pursued through legal means, which we hope will be resolved with prudence and foresight.”