Addressing the Friday prayer congregation in Zahedan on September 18, 2026, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid referred to the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death and the bitter and tragic events that followed, stating: If officials had listened to the Iranian people, heeded the rightful demands of the nation, and brought about changes in the country, people would not have been killed and the country would not be facing this difficult situation today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many of our compatriots lost their lives in the protests of recent years; we express our heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved families Listening to the people was the best and easiest path \/ Officials, scholars, and elders must listen to the people and tolerate their harsh words Governance is impossible without the people; change your policies and submit to the rightful demands of the public Do not bring foreign or proxy forces into Iran; the best policy is relying on Iranians themselves Balochs and Kurds have accounted for the largest share of recent executions People are hungry; why are you executing the hungry?! \/ Under current conditions, executing people over drug charges lacks Shariah and legal justification Violence, regardless of who commits it, breeds violence; the best way forward is dialogue Have mercy on the people of Iran and consult with intellectuals and experts The drone attack on Holy Makkah broke the hearts of all Muslims \/ The sanctity of the Haramain must be preserved under all circumstances The Mahsa Amini Incident Led to a Popular Uprising in the Country<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":12650,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14987","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-c81-speeches"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
<\/strong>According to the official website of the Friday Imam of Sunnis in Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid stated: These days coincide with the Mahsa Amini incident, which led to a popular uprising in the country, bringing our dear compatriots into the streets to protest. Shortly after, the Zahedan Grand Mosque incident occurred in which a large number of people were martyred. Similarly, the November 2019 protests and the deeply tragic events of December 2025 and January 2026 also took place.
He added: Unfortunately, many of our compatriots lost their lives in these protests, leaving numerous families grief-stricken. These were extremely bitter and tragic events, and we share the grief of all dear Iranians and express our deepest condolences to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The Friday Imam of Zahedan further stated: If the concerned authorities had listened to the Iranian people, paid attention to the nation’s rightful demands, and instituted changes in the country, people would not have been killed. Listening to the people was the best and easiest approach, which would have earned both the satisfaction of God and the approval of the public, aligning perfectly with the Sunnah and conduct of the Prophet (PBUH) and other prophets.
He continued: The Prophet (PBUH) listened to people to such an extent that the hypocrites would say, “He is all ears.” I wish our officials also possessed listening ears and would hear even the harsh words of the people. Authorities, scholars, elders, influential figures, and those who serve as points of reference for the public must listen to the voices and cries of those in pain, enduring their bitter words and even insults; this brings good for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Mawlana Abdol-Hamid stressed: If officials had heeded the rightful demands of the people, the country would not be in this difficult state today, nor would these conflicts be imposed upon us. If the enemies of Iran and foreign powers knew there was no division in Iran and that the people and the system stood united, they would not dare attack the country.
He added: I urge the authorities to stay close to the people and reconsider their policies, as governance is impossible without the public. Do not act on single directives, consider current realities, and refrain from relying on methods and policies from forty or fifty years ago. Instead, reform your policies and approaches, open the door to genuine dialogue with the world and the Iranian people, and yield to the rightful demands of the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>In another part of his Friday sermon in Zahedan, the Sunni leader criticized the entry of foreign and proxy forces into the country and the province of Sistan-Baluchestan, stating: Reports suggest that foreign and proxy forces are being deployed and brought into the country and Sistan-Baluchestan province. I do not see much success in this policy, and I believe officials should rely on the people and engage them by building trust, as local people are the ones who can stand strong against the enemy.
He emphasized: Do not bring non-Iranian ethnicities or sects into the country. Iran belongs to Iranians, and the correct policy is to utilize Iranians themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The prominent Iranian religious figure also protested the rise in executions, stating: Unfortunately, executions have increased recently, the majority of which are political executions. Political execution is contrary to Islamic and Shariah law, international laws, and global norms.
He reminded: Recent executions have affected many Iranians, but Kurds and Baluchs have borne the largest share of these executions. Regrettably, most of those recently executed belong to the people of Baluchestan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The Zahedan Friday Imam strongly criticized the continuation of executions under drug-related charges, saying: Most of the executions taking place are linked to narcotics, even while poppies are currently being cultivated in the province and drugs and opium are produced without any prohibition. In this situation, how can hanging people for drug dealing be justified, and under which religion, Shariah, or international law is it taking place?! What kind of law is this that was passed years ago and you continue to enforce today!
He highlighted: Today people are hungry, their pockets and stomachs are empty, and they are living under dire circumstances. Why are you executing these hungry people?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Pointing to the rise in terrorism and insecurity in the region, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid advised and urged both the public and the government to avoid violence in maintaining security, stating: Unfortunately, terrorism, insecurity, and violence have increased in recent days. Everyone should recognize that violence begets violence, and it must not be permitted. Whether violence comes from the public or security forces, it leads to more violence. The best path forward is dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>He added: Internal division is damaging to the country, carries heavy consequences, and destroys peace and stability. Nothing is resolved through force, weapons, or foreign troops. Have mercy on Iran and its people, sit down with the Iranian nation, and consult with them. There are many insightful intellectuals and thinkers among the Iranian people who hold no position in the system but possess great wisdom and intellect; they must be consulted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>At the conclusion of his address, the President of Darululoom Zahedan referenced the recent drone attack toward Holy Makkah, stating: The drone fired toward the sanctuary of Holy Makkah broke the hearts of all Muslims. Whosoever carried out this action deserves complete condemnation and reproach.
He clarified: The land of the Two Holy Sanctuaries possesses a sacred status. Not only must Muslims preserve the sanctity of these lands under all circumstances, but the sanctity of these sites\u2014which Muslims hold as the holiest places\u2014must also be respected by the entire world and non-Muslims as well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"