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‘Iranians Showed a Model of Unity in Commemoration of Zahedan’s Martyrs’

Criticizing the Iranian MPs who demanded severe punishment for protesters in a critical statement, the most influential Iranian Sunni leader emphasized the need to listen to the people and ensure their freedom and to release the political prisoners. Shaikh Abdol-Hamid admired Iranian citizens who expressed their sympathy with the martyrs of Zahedan.
He was talking to tens of thousands of people before the Friday prayers of Zahedan on Nov. 11, 2022.

We did not expect this from the MPs
The president of Darululoom Zahedan continued his speech by saying: “Today Iranians have come to the streets to raise their voices against discrimination, inequality, and lack of freedom. They are protesting for one hope with the same aspiration. Officials should listen to them and respect their legitimate demands.”
“I was surprised when I heard that MPs signed a controversial statement against the protesters. The Parliament is the nation’s house and there are the representatives of the Iranian people. As representatives of the nation, you have a duty to inspire the officials to listen to the people, force them not to use war bullets against civilians; also, advise the people, and remind the protestors of their mistakes,” said the eminent Iranian Sunni scholar.
“You should demand the release of the prisoners and defend the rights of the people and the right of the government. I am not saying that you should only take the side of the people, but as people’s representatives, you should not have signed such a statement that demands severe punishment for them,” he added.
Shaikh Abdol-Hamid criticized: “Where in the world people’s representatives issue such statements against their nation.”
The Friday Imam of Zahedan referred to the interruption of the speech of Chabahar people’s representative in the parliament and said: “I would like to thank Dr. Saeedi, the representative of the people of Chabahar who spoke about the people’s pain and defended the martyrs who were killed for no reason. I regret why the voice of the representative whose voice is the voice of the people is cut off and I regret that the deputy speaker of the parliament called the patriotic and frontier people of Baluchistan, separatists and rioters. People will not accept such a harsh language against themselves.”

Today, all know that people of Zahedan have been killed unjustly
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid emphasized the need to maintain security in the region and said: “The events that took place in Zahedan and Khash were very serious and tragic; military forces killed many worshipers without any reason. Following these events, we all tried to maintain the security of the province. The clerics, tribal elders, and trustees have worked to keep the region safe as they could and we thank them.”
He questioned: “It should be clarified that who created this tragedy and for what reason?”
The top Sunni cleric of Zahedan added: “Today, Alhamdulillah, this became clear for state and provincial officials that people in Zahedan’s Bloody Friday incident were killed unjustly. We praise Allah Almighty that the rights of the martyrs’ families have been clarified. We have already urged that that this crime would have been condemned and the perpetrators behind the attack would have been tried.”
“We are happy that good steps have been taken by the government and some provincial officials have been suspended; these are positive steps. We believe that every good action should be welcomed,” said Shaikh Abdol-Hamid.

The families of the martyrs have not accepted the offer of blood money
The Friday Khateeb of Zahedan continued his speech, saying: “Some good steps have been taken that give us hope, but what we want is that the authorities must condemn the crime of the Bloody Friday of Zahedan, the perpetrators should also be tried, and the baseless accusations of the media such as separatists and rioters must be removed. People must be acquitted of these slanders.”
He noted: “The families of the martyrs tell that they do not want blood money. Rather, they want respect, dignity, and honor and the removal of slanders and insults. Lawyers have been hired from Tehran, and they should be allowed to come here. A bench has been allocated in the court to follow the case; this is one of the positive steps. These issues are related to the martyrs, and the case of general issues related to the country need a different attention.”

How did you kill people who had no weapons?
The most outstanding Iranian Sunni scholar went on to criticize the authorities for not listening to the warnings of the experts and sympathizers and said: “Today, the people of Iran have united together. The pressures of life, lack of freedom and justice have united them. We have all raised our voices and complained about problems. Political prisoners and those who are outside have spoken about these problems. For two years and more, we have been saying that the domestic and foreign policies of the country must be changed, people are suffering from problems.”
“You should review country’s domestic and foreign policies. We are not enemies, but benevolent. Not only I, but also scholars, academics and different groups of people have warned. If people’s voices were heard and their demands were addressed they would be satisfied and we would not have witnessed such protests in the country,” said the top political Sunni leader of Iran.
He complained: “Why have military forces killed our people by war bullets in the bloody and heartbreaking Fridays of Zahedan and Khash?”
Imam of the Grand Makki Mosque of Zahedan further said: “We don’t know where the forces who killed our people were trained? Even if they were not Iranians, they were human beings. Even a human does not dare to kill an animal like this. How did you kill these unarmed people?”

The people of Iran showed a model of unity in the commemoration of the martyrs of Zahedan
The Iranian Sunni leader thanked the Iranians who remembered the martyrs of Zahedan’s Bloody Friday, and said: “I would like to thank the dear people of Iran. These people are lovely. All Iranians, from Sanandaj to Tehran, from Mashhad to Isfahan and other cities expressed their sympathy with our martyrs. They had sympathized with us before. Iranian people showed a model of unity. I do not know how and in what language appreciate these people!”
“This unity and solidarity brought us together, preserved our territorial integrity, and guaranteed our national security,” Shaikh Abdol-Hamid believed.
He further addressed the officials: “I would like to advise the authorities to listen to the voice of the people. People are guardians of blessings. They were behind the 1979 revolution.”
“Iranians have a unique culture in ethics and patriotism in the world. All Iranians including women, youth, and academics are members of the nation of Iran; the government should serve them with enthusiasm. You are in charge of serving the people. Serving the nation is an honor for anyone,” said the president of Darululoom Zahedan in his Friday sermons.

Do not put your mistake on enemy
“If people are protesting, it is because of your weaknesses. Do not pretend these protests as provocations of the enemy; provocation is the job of the enemy, but you should see the weaknesses and correct them. You have to admit that you have failed to implement justice, serve the people, and solve their problems. It is a fact that today the people of Iran are suffering from so many problems. We are among the people and see them how they struggle with problems,” said the top Iranian Baloch leader in the presence of the people of Zahedan.

Free journalists
The most influential Iranian Sunni leader urged on the freedom of press and said: “Some people say to me that if you didn’t have freedom, you wouldn’t have said these words. Actually, parties in Iran have been suffering from lack of the freedom. Iranian political parties and organizations do not have complete freedom. Why we do not have freedom of speech? There is a harsh censorship in Iran. Many journalists are now in prison. Do not imprison them. I was shocked when a judge closed down 12 newspapers overnight with one sentence in the past years.”
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid questioned: “Where in the world do they shut down 12 newspapers with one sentence? Where in the world do they limit the pen and press like our country?”
He said: “I agree that there are restrictions elsewhere of the world, but I compare Iran with republics and free countries, not with a dictator-run state, but with the free world and free countries that have democracy. I believe that during the period of the Guided Caliphs, there were freedoms that you will never find in democratic countries and systems. In addition, I am ready to debate and prove this.”
The Friday Khateeb of Zahedan said more: “Today’s democracy cannot establish the freedom of the era of the holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. I compare the Islamic Republic of Iran with the era of Rashidin Caliphs and the era of the Caliphate of Ali, may Allah be pleased with all of them.”
He urged: “You should free the political prisoners and talk to them. We should listen to our opponents and answer them in logic ways if they are wrong.

Armed forces should die for people, not kill them
The Friday Imam of Sunnis in Zahedan strictly forbade the armed forces from killing people and advised them: “You are the children of this land and these people are your sisters, daughters, and mothers. Respect these women and treat them well. Students and academics are the best class of society and they are the hope of our nation. Treat them well and respect their position. Listen to all, including to the students, university professors and scholars.”
“I would like to advise the armed forces not to shoot people with war bullets. These people are our compatriots. You must die for them; it is an honor for you when you are killed in defense of the territorial integrity of the country. Let people beat you, but do not beat them. This is a value for you,” Shaikh Abdol-Hamid addressed the security officials.
“On the other side, I would like to advise the people to hold the protests peacefully. Avoid destruction of public properties and do not burn banks and cars. Do not throw stones at the armed forces and do not fight with them. They should not mess with you either. Peaceful protest is your right,” he addressed the protesters.
He asked the judiciary not to consider the people as combatants, but as protesters. He pointed to the early history of Islam and said: At that time, a Jew asked the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for a loan and raised his voice and grabbed the Prophet’s collar. People got angry and tried to stop him. The messenger of Allah said to the people: leave him and advise me to pay him his due right. This is hearing the voice of the people. When the Caliph Omar gave a sermon in Masjid al-Nabi and said not to raise the dowry, an old woman stood up and said, “you do not have the right to interfere in women’s dowry!” The dowry is negotiable. You can encourage, but you do not have the right to give orders in this regard. Omar said: I wish Omar understood as much as this old woman. This is the truth. Omar was humble and did not say take out the old woman, where did this come from. Once a person drew a sword for Omar in Masjid al-Nabi and said: If you go against the path of the Prophet, we will stop you with a sword. Omar praised him and said that as long as we have these people, Omar will not make mistakes. Those who were trained by the Prophet were true people. When a Jewish woman’s anklet was usurped, Ali said: What is the benefit of life and governing when people are assaulted like this and women are not safe?

Scholars should be with the people
The top Iranian Sunni cleric urged: “As a well-wisher, I would like to address the officials: listen to the people of Iran and examine their problems. As the founder of the Islamic Republic, as well as the Supreme Leader said that the will is the will of the nation, the officials must adhere to this. They must respect the will of the people. This is an honor.”
Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said: “Today, scholars are at the top of the country’s affairs. They have been with people throughout history, and we have no other way than the people’s way. Shia and Sunni scholars have been with the people and they should always be with them as well-wishers. We hope to have a good future. Governance is good when it serves the people, implements justice and adheres to ethics, honesty, and trustworthiness. Instead of ruling for a hundred years, it is better to rule for ten years with trust and honesty. I swear to Allah If the satisfaction of Allah and the people is not considered, the governing has no value.”
The prominent Sunni leader of Iran believed that all governments in the world represent Allah Almighty in the implementation of justice and said: “Whether Islamic or non-Islamic, all political systems in the world represent Almighty Allah in implementing of justice and in legitimate freedoms. The owner of the whole world is Allah. Small and big governments represent Allah to serve humanity and to spread justice and fairness. Allah says to His beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH: Sit down with the poor, the needy, and the weak people. Such a government is valuable; otherwise, if the people are unhappy, the government has no value.”
At the end of this part of his Friday speech, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid advised the people of Zahedan and said: “keep the city secured and chant slogans peacefully like last week. The security personnel were told: You stay in your headquarters; the people themselves will establish security.”

The Prophet Muhammad PBUH was a mercy to people
In the first part of his Friday speech of Zahedan, The most influential Iranian Sunni scholar called the ten-year period of the holy Prophet’s ruling and the Caliphate period of Rashidin Caliphs as the golden era in the history and said: “At that time, the rulers neither hoarded wealth nor they had discriminatory behaviors against people, but their governments were popular.”
After reciting the verse 164 of Surah Al-Imran, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said: “Allah blessed all the believers when He dispatched prophets to them. It was Allah’s favor to his servants that He sent them the prophets from their own generation to understand their needs and necessities.”
The president of Darululoom Zahedan considered recitation of the holy Qur’an, purification and teaching and wisdom as the most important missions of the holy Prophet PBUH and said: “Reciting the holy Qur’an was one of the most important missions of the holy Prophet. All verses of the holy Qur’an are miraculous, impressive, and inspiring; they can bring a huge change in people. Allah reveals His blessings when the holy Qur’an is recited. Purification was the second mission of the holy Prophet PBUH. The Prophet had a mission to purify the people and uproot false beliefs and immoralities. Morality is vital for individuals and society. If the society is not reformed, everyone will suffer.”
“After reciting the Qur’an and educating people, the most important duty of the Prophet was to teach wisdom and Sunnah. The lives of holy Prophets were so simple, and they were particular examples in ethics and beliefs. In the affairs of life, they taught humanity industry, occupation, and profession. The first who build the ship was Prophet Noah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. He built the ship, which is one of the great blessings of Allah, through revelation. The first person who started tailoring was the Prophet Idris PBUH. The first person who made armor and war clothes was the Prophet Dawood PBUH,” said senior teacher of hadith in Darululoom Zahedan.
Shaikh Abdol-Hamid went on to describe the life and the Seerah of the holy prophet Muhammad PBUH and continued: “The Prophet Muhammad PBUH helped and fed the hungry people, pushed them to engage in jobs and professions, and guided them to the right business. He forbade people from begging and inspired them to work and do business so that they would eat halal and don’t remain jobless. The holy Prophet, peace be upon him, did not want to live like the kings of the world, but he chose to have a simple life. The holy Prophet and his households slept hungry, but fed the hungry people. They ate less and gave their portion to the needy people.”
He added: “When the holy Prophet passed away, he left after him a mule and a sword that could not be divided. The Prophet PBUH said that what I am leaving as an inheritance belongs to the people. The holy Prophet lived for God and for people, and left his legacy for people. He did not think about his own welfare. He lived with the people like the lower class. The holy Prophet PBUH ruled for ten years. These ten years were a golden era; an era that the world has not seen like that, neither before nor after that. The Prophet himself and his government were mercies from Allah to the people. He taught people belief and showed them the way of life. He respected people’s rights and taught them to respect the rights of parents, wife, children, neighbors, and all human beings.”
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid explained the holy prophet and his companions’ Seerah with more details and said: “There was no discrimination in the Golden Age of the holy Prophet, peace be upon him. Salman al-Farsi, who had no relatives in Medina, never felt alienated there, because the Prophet had included him in his households. The holy Prophet implemented justice and equality, respected the position of the slaves and maidservants and the entire lower class.”
The eminent Sunni cleric of Balochistan referred to the Seerah of the Prophet Yusuf, peace be upon him and said: “When the people of Egypt saw the honesty, trustworthiness, and piety of the Prophet Yusuf PBUH, they entrusted the country’s treasures and financial affairs to him. The holy Prophet Yusuf strengthened and improved agriculture in Egypt by making sufficient use of the Nile River in seven years. By distributing wheat among the people in sufficient quantity and keeping the surplus of seven years of famine, he managed Egypt in such a way that not only the people of Egypt were fed in the severe famine, but also the people of distant regions benefited. When Prophet Yusuf passed away, people wished they knew more about him.”
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid said at the end of the first part of his Friday speech of Zahedan: “The era of the Rashidin caliphs continued based on the principles and policies of the holy Prophet, peace be upon him, that was a popular government. The rulers used to be with the people and to listen to them. The Caliphs of Rashidin were spiritual, pious, and faithful people. They ruled for Allah’s pleasure, not for their own benefit, and the benefit of their families, children, and relatives. Their justice, freedom, morality, and honesty amazed the world.”