Pointing out to the Islamic Republic Day in Iran, the most influential Iranian Sunni leader, considered the sectarian view as the main cause of losing the opportunities in the country during 44 years. During his Friday sermons in Zahedan’s Grand Musalla on March 31, 2023, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid called the public concern in Iran as the result of narrow views.
“The country will face a dead end if there is no a big change in policies and until weak and incapable people run the country’s affairs,” he said.
The president of Darululoom Zahedan continued: “On April 1, 1979, the result of the referendum was announced in Iran. When one system is collapsed and a new system is formed, the referendum is the best way. In the 1979 revolution, the majority of the Iranian people chose the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic was formed in order to implement the rulings of Islam. The Iranian people chose a system that Muslims were eager for so many years to have such a government. People know Islam and its beautiful teachings through the performances of the holy Prophet, peace be upon him, and the Rashidin Caliphs.”
“All people, including Shiite and Sunni and minorities, voted for the Islamic Republic. It was a great opportunity that the state had. If they used the high capacity of Islam and shared the power with all Iranian citizens from every faction, including sects and tendencies based on the merit and ability, they would not face such an objection today. Even after a hundred years, the authorities would not see the protests in the country,” said the Iranian top Sunni cleric.
Believing that the authorities of the Iranian Islamic republic could not bring Islamic justice in the country, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said: “The thoughtful and capable people have not been given opportunities to run the country’s affairs. The problem was that the authorities could not embrace all Iranians. The minorities were oppressed. In elections, the capable people were rejected. Not only capable of Sunnis, but also people of many other strata were rejected. Sunnis have been suffering from discriminations. Many of Sunnis who had capability to be presidents were not appointed as ministers or deputy ministers or even as province governors.”
The Friday prayer leader of Sunnis in Zahedan further said: “Sunnis were deprived of legal religious rights. Extreme religious pressures were imposed on them. In recent years, the religious affairs of the Sunnis were handed over to a specific state-run organization. In Tehran, when I entered their office, I said to them: ‘when there is no even a single Sunni employee in this building, how Sunnis should trust you and hand over their religious affairs to you. This is not possible.’ In many ministry departments, there is no even one Sunni employee.”
“All Iranians should have been under the umbrella of freedom, justice and fairness, but unfortunately, this has not happened and Sunnis have been deprived of so many opportunities and due rights,” he said more.
Due to sectarian viewpoint, a particular spectrum handed over the country’s affairs
Imam of the Grand Makki Mosque continued his Friday speech, saying: “The sectarian look, whether it is Sunni or Shiite, damages Islam. Unfortunately, the restrictions were imposed on people, especially on the Sunnis. A particular spectrum with limited views came to the office. Many times, the Sunni candidates and jobseekers were told: Go back from the same door. Once a minister appointed a Sunni deputy, but after two months, his approval letter was not released because of the intervention of some government organs.”
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid urged that official responsibilities should be in the hands of experienced people and said: “The responsibilities have been taken away from the elders and affairs are in the hands of youth. Young people are deserved, but everyone has his own task. Someone who has experiences should not be abandoned. Now, many Iranian people build other countries in Europe. I wish our dear Shiite brothers who have capabilities were engaged in positions, but they are not.”
The Iranian top Sunni leader insisted on solving the national demands, saying: “I am going to talk about national issues; because our religious and regional issues are solved when national issues are resolved. We are among the Iranian people and many of these problems are national. National demands have priorities to regional and religious demands.”
The wealth and opportunities belong to local people
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid alluded to a local issue of Iranian Balochistan and said: “The lack of religious freedom and depriving Baloch people of many government posts are among serious problems. Makran beach development plan is another issue that concerned the people of this reign. They (authorities) want to bring people from other areas to these beaches. These coasts are Makran lands. Baloch people had been killed and endured hardships to protect these lands. This is the right of the nation.”
“If it is supposed to create petrochemical plant here, the first right is with the local people. The priority is with these people. Mines and treasures of this area are more valuable than gold, but companies from Tehran register them! Balochistan’s wealth belongs to its people. Who are behind these huge projects? This is one of the concerns of the people of the province. These mines are national,” said the Iranian top Baloch leader during his Friday sermons of Zahedan.
IRI took the dollar from 7 Tomans and now it is 54 thousand Tomans / what else is left for the nation?
Pointing out to the impact of severe economic recession on people’s lives, the eminent Iranian scholar said: “The current economic situation has worried all classes and strata of Iranian people. When the Pahlavi regime was collapsed, the dollar was 7 Tomans, why it reached 54 thousand Tomans today? This puts severe pressures on people and affects their lives. All people have been affected. All classes, including workers, retirees and teachers, are distracted and worried.”
“The weak officials who came to the office are not able to overcome these problems. Many of these weak managers are not able to make a decision. People voted for the reformists for several periods, but they could not do anything. They say that we did not have power and enough authority. Sunnis fully voted for the reformists, but they said they did not have the authority to meet their demands,” said the Iranian Sunni leader.
Who believes that the Islamic Republic prevents from prayers?
Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said more: “Despite many challenges, the Sunnis participated in the last presidential elections, but their problems increased. Dozens of prayer houses have been plumped in Mashhad. Who believes that the Islamic Republic prevents the worshipers form prayers! Should the prayers be stopped? How you claim that you are Muslims? Prayers have no harm for anyone.”
He said more: “When Sunnis ask the authorities in metropolises from where we get a permit? They say: We do not know! Once, I told the Minister of Islamic Guidance: our people are under pressure for prayers, and they need permission. He said: Almighty Allah has issued the permission of the prayers, but security forces ban us from offering prayers. In Russia, Muslims are free to establish prayers. The Grand mosque of Muslims in Moscow is next to the Kremlin Palace. In Iran, when authorities prevent Sunnis from prayers in some metropolises, they say: the sin of not praying is on us! I do not approve all the actions of Russia, but they said on a journey that I had to Russia: in Russia, all religions and sects are free. There the religious affairs of Muslims are in the hands of the Mufti, not in the hands of the government.
President of Darululoom Zahedan further said: “Russia was against religions for a duration of time, but after years of experiences, they concluded that religion should be free. The state should use the world’s experiences and know that putting pressures because of religion is not good. At the time of Pahlavi regime, Sunnis asked a district governor for a license for Friday prayers, he had said: establish these prayers on Saturday too! In this government, they prevent Sunnis from prayers in many cities. They are the police of the Islamic Republic!”
“As a compassionate and well-wisher to all, I would like to say that if the authorities do not change their views and attitude, there will not be a change in the country, I am sure that the country is moving in wrong direction,” he added.
The people of Iran are desperate to control inflation
“While the authorities claimed that they inhibit the inflation, it is impossible by this process. The people of Iran are disappointed. If the Iranian nation is not satisfied, we cannot spend their national capital outside Iran. Charity begins at home. Although we encourage helping mosques, but we do not expect from anyone who is hungry and empty-handed,” said the Iranian Sunnis’ leader.
“The statesmen have lost a lot of opportunities and failed to implement Islamic ethics in the country. Today, people hate the religion due to their performances,” he believed.
Leaving people is a very big mistake
Addressing the Shiite and Sunni scholars, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid said: “I would like to advise Shiite and Sunni scholars in Iran: Do not leave the nation. Leaving people has irreparable loss. Ulama should be with the nation. This is our mission. It is a huge mistake if Shiite or Sunni scholars leave the people.”
How many people were killed in protests in Israel?
In the case of dealing with the opposition, the president of Darululoom Zahedan said: “I am going to advise the authorities not to ignore the nation. If people protest, they should not be beaten or taken into prison. In Israel, which all of us know it as a sinister occupying regime, when the Israeli people protest, how many people are killed? In France, they calm down the demonstrators by water. Nowhere in the world they target the protesters with a war bullet or shot them. This is a big mistake.”
During thirty years, I could not meet with the heads of the country (leadership)
The most outstanding Iranian Sunni leader went on to address the high officials, saying: “I was one of your supporters and collaborated with you. The Sunnis cooperated with you and I was their prayer leader. You know well that the Sunnis heated up the elections in the country, but during thirty years, I could not meet with the elders. I spoke with the presidents, but they have no adequate authority. Even I have written letters, but they did not appoint a time for meeting.”
“Let people talk and say their mind. There should be grounds for all to criticize and speak frankly. I see that this way you are going will come to a dead end. Do not treat people harshly, but be kind to them. Surrender to the will of the people,” Mawlana Abdol-Hamid added.
Taliban should present Islam according to the needs of modern age
Addressing the Afghan government, the Iranian top Sunni leader said: “I have suggestions to the leaders of the Afghan government. Taliban! You did jihad and sacrificed until you got the government and declared the Islamic state. You are well aware that Islam is the last religion and the book of Islam is the holy Qur’an. The Religion is in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and scholars and jurists are just commentators. No one can add something to the Qur’an and Sunnah. So implement the commands of the Qur’an according to the need and condition of the modern age.”
“You accepted a big responsibility, so be careful and establish Islamic rules with wisdom. The modern age has its own conditions. You must offer Islam in accordance with the present time. A thousand years ago, the fatwa was based on the conditions of that time. If those scholars were alive today, thousands of fatwas would change. The world has changed. This world is not the world of 100 years ago,” said Shaikh Abdol-Hamid.
He urged that the Taliban should reopen schools and universities in Afghanistan for female students.
“It is agonizing for me when I see that Afghan women are traveling in other countries due to such restrictions. If they change their culture due to our performances, such an action will hit the religion of Islam. Women and men are equal in learning and seeking knowledge,” said the eminent Iranian Baloch Sunni leader.
Afghan government officials should pay special attention to Hazaras and Shiites
Shaikh Abdol-Hamid also urged that the Taliban government should respect the rights of all religious and ethnic minorities, even the rights of non-Muslims if there are non-Muslims in Afghanistan. He said that the Shiites, especially the Hazara community in Afghanistan, should not feel that they are ignored and marginalized.