In his Friday sermon on November 1, 2024, in Zahedan, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid expressed appreciation for the “positive steps” taken regarding the rights of ethnicities and religions, including the appointment of a Sunni Baloch as the governor of Sistan and Baluchistan by the President. He viewed these steps as the “first of many” and expressed hope that they would continue.
According to the office of the Sunni Friday Prayer Imam of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol Hamid remarked, “Very positive changes have taken place in the country. Mr. Pezeshkian has worked to fulfill some of the promises made during his election campaign. We should all support anyone striving for justice, fairness, and people’s rights and pray for their success in fulfilling their duties.”
He added, “Mr. Pezeshkian has made numerous promises, including a focus on ethnicities and religious minorities, and positive steps have been taken in this regard, although these are the first steps along a long journey. Let us pray for his continued success in this direction.”
The Sunni Friday Prayer Imam of Zahedan further stated, “Dr. Pezeshkian has appointed Sunni individuals as Vice President and other high-ranking officials. In Kurdistan, a Sunni governor has been selected from among the local population, and in Khuzestan, an Arab brother was appointed as governor. Recently, the governor of Sistan and Baluchistan was chosen from the Sunni Baloch community, and we see this as a positive development. The appointed governor for this province is a capable and qualified individual.”
Iran’s People are National Assets / Employing Capable Individuals from All Ethnicities and Religions Strengthens National Unity
Mawlana Abdol Hamid stated, “All the people of Iran, who are the true assets of this nation, and all ethnicities and religions, are genuinely Iranian. Ethnicities, religions, and languages are signs of God’s power. Every country has a united nation, and we make no distinction within our people.”
He added, “Utilizing capable individuals from all ethnicities and religions fosters unity and pleases Allah. Faith cannot be achieved by name alone; it requires fairness and justice.”
“Eliminating Discrimination,” “Ensuring Justice,” “Securing Freedoms,” and “Improving Economic Conditions” are Central Demands of the Iranian Nation
Mawlana Abdol Hamid mentioned, “The people of Iran are not making excessive demands. What everyone in Iran expects is fairness, justice, and the elimination of discrimination. Efforts to address discrimination fulfill the demands of all Iranians, including Shia, Sunni, Muslim, and non-Muslim citizens.”
He emphasized, “The key demands shared by all Iranians are ending discrimination, securing freedom of expression, ensuring religious freedoms, and improving economic conditions.”
Cut Off Hands Reaching for National Resources
Do Not Use Public Funds for Religious Purposes
Mawlana Abdol Hamid continued, “The people of Iran want all those who extend their hands toward national resources to be cut off. National resources should be directed to the public treasury, and their benefits should not be diverted for personal use but rather should be used for the people.”
He added, “For this reason, we have always advised that even religious expenditures should not be made from public funds. For decades, we have never sought government support for our religious institutions or mosques. Even when an earlier government offered to assist the mosque, we declined, saying that it is our policy not to receive aid from any government. The mosque’s attendees should support it. If one day the people do not contribute, we will scale down the religious school or even close it if we cannot sustain it for a thousand students, keeping only a hundred if necessary.”
He further remarked, “Some have asked me from which country I get funds to build mosques, and I found this amusing, as our belief is not to accept assistance for mosques or schools from any country or government. We advise officials not to spend a single rial of public funds on religious expenses. Scholars should also refrain from accepting such funds. Scholars serve if people contribute; otherwise, they bear no responsibility.”
Do Not Make Religion a Dependent Organ of Government
The Sunni Friday Prayer Imam of Zahedan emphasized: “Our advice has often been to preserve the essence of faith without focusing solely on preserving sectarian identity. The principle of preserving faith is not to spend funds on it, and the approach to safeguarding a sect is not to make it dependent on the state. These are my beliefs, and if anyone disagrees, they may do so. However, the independence of religious beliefs is essential to maintain the freedom to speak the truth. The autonomy of religious affairs ensures their sustainability.”
“A Revolutionary Move is Needed to Address the Rooted Corruption in the Country”
He continued, “The nation’s primary demand now is ‘economic reform.’ The deep-seated corruption in the country cannot be eradicated solely by judicial and security agencies; it requires a revolutionary approach to root out all forms of financial exploitation. All organizations, institutions, and individuals who benefit from these national resources must relinquish their interests and return them to the public treasury, as there is no right more significant than the public’s right to the state and its officials. When the people are struggling, we should not allocate resources elsewhere. This proverb, ‘The lamp that shines at home should not be spent in the mosque,’ is quite relevant.”
“We Seek the Satisfaction of All Iranian Ethnicities and Religions”
Mawlana Abdol Hamid stressed, “We hope that all efforts will be directed towards the satisfaction of the nation as a whole. Our aim is not limited to satisfying our own ethnic group; we seek the well-being of all Iranian ethnicities and religious groups. We do not separate ourselves from the Iranian nation and share in their sorrows and hardships.”
He added, “Thank God, there is no discord in Sistan and Baluchistan. All ethnic groups in this province, including Sistani, Baloch, Yazdi, Birjandi, and Tehrani, are dear to us, and we recommend that everyone’s rights be respected. We are willing to forego even many of our significant rights for the good of the Iranian people.”
He continued, “The people of our province are pleased with some recent measures and expect further positive actions. We hope that organizations and departments will take proactive steps to employ qualified individuals. Weak leaders, regardless of their ethnicity, are detrimental to the state and the nation.”
Addressing People’s Issues Reduces Security Costs
The Sunni Imam of Zahedan noted, “A movement has started to address inequalities, and we hope this will reach its goal. Additionally, efforts should be directed toward securing the Iranian nation’s interests. I was very pleased to hear that Dr. Pezeshkian ordered a house to be provided for the families who lost loved ones in the Tabas mining accident.”
He added, “Recent actions aimed at reducing inequalities, and further measures that complement these efforts, will significantly reduce security costs in the country. Basic actions and addressing issues and demands will bring security expenses in Sistan and Baluchistan—bordering several countries—to near zero, ensuring the people’s satisfaction and support.”
The People Demand that Borders be Opened
Mawlana Abdol Hamid added, “The borders are closed, and many people in the province face challenges in making a livelihood. The people’s demand is for the borders to be reopened. We hope that the new government’s approach will help improve peace and security. Recent incidents, where security officers were martyred and innocent people lost their lives in other events, are painful for us.”
People in Chabahar, Konarak, and Dashtiari Suffer from Water Shortages, Poor Healthcare, and Lack of Educational Facilities
In concluding his remarks, the Sunni Friday Prayer Imam of Zahedan, referring to his recent trip to southern Sistan and Baluchistan, highlighted some of the issues facing people in these areas. “In our recent trip to Chabahar, Konarak, and Dashtiari, we were deeply troubled by the severe water shortages, poor healthcare, and weak educational facilities in these regions.”
He noted that these issues have worsened over time and called on Dr. Pezeshkian’s government and the relevant officials to address the problems facing the people.
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