Mawlana Abdol-Hamid urged on the religious rights of the Sunni community in Iran calling on the Iranian authorities to respect the law and due rights of Sunnis.
\nTalking to tens of thousands of worshippers in Zahedan on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, Khateeb of Sunnis said, \u201cIn the last week a delegation under the title of \u2018One Ummah\u2019 visited our province. I was on a trip, but I told my colleagues to welcome anyone who goes on the path of unity and solidarity.\u201d
\n\u201cI was impressed by the stances, words and impressions of this caravan; it is pleasing that foresighted and positive-minded people can be found among both Shias and Sunnis who sincerely work hard to unite Muslims. It seems they do not show off by just slogans. It is important to believe in unity and fraternity by heart and tongue; no doubt Muslims\u2019 unity boosts their respect and heightens their value,\u201d he added more.
\nThe rector of Darululoom Zahedan further said, \u201cKeeping in mind the current circumstances of the Muslim world as the Muslim Ummah suffers from depression and dispersion, all Muslims from any sect should step forward on the way of unity. We welcome any step and any movement that is for the sake of unity.\u201d
\n\u201cWe have reached to this point that by the grace of Allah the majority of Sunnis goes on the route of sobriety and fraternity. However, there are some fanatic elements among Shia and Sunni communities. Even some Sunni citizens who do not show softness criticize us and our policies, but we strive to convince them that Sunnis in Iran despite lots of troubles will follow the peaceful methods of law and dialogue to get their due rights,\u201d Shaikh Isma\u2019eelzahi underlined.
\nHe termed the Sunni community of Iran \u2018an opportunity for the Islamic Republic of Iran\u2019 and said, \u201cI believe the Sunni community of Iran is the best opportunity for Shia brothers and the state of Iran. I think both Shias and Sunnis are opportunities for each other as well as for the governing system. We are brothers in faith and motherland.\u201d
\n\u201cIt is a test for both Shias and Sunnis to respect each other\u2019s rights. However, there are differences, but mutual points are not less in number. Shias and Sunnis should grasp on their common tenets and points, leaving the differences to the pertinent sect. In any case, we must think how we can tolerate each other by an open mind and heart.\u201d
\nIran can enhance its status in the world by Sunnis
\nThe eminent Islamic scholar emphasized, saying, \u201c36 years have been passed since the revolution took place; but the authorities and the leaders of the state have not utilized the capabilities of Sunni citizens in provincial and national management and posts as they deserve. If they did so, the status of the country would have increased and Muslims around the world would have a positive idea about our officials.\u201d
\nHe said, \u201cIf we utilized the opportunity of the Sunni community in Iran, we could be an example for Islamic movements. The more they use that opportunity the more they benefit and strengthen national unity and brotherhood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Religious centers of the Iranian Sunnis not threat for Shias and state<\/strong> Mawlana Abdol-Hamid urged on the religious rights of the Sunni community in Iran calling on the Iranian authorities to respect the law and due rights of Sunnis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4011,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-c58-ahl-al-sunna-in-iran"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nIn another part of his speech, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said, \u201cI must make it clear that the Sunni community of Iran is neither a threat for Shias nor the Islamic Republic of Iran. There is no any difference between Shia and Sunni in our views, as we become happy with their happiness and get sad with their grief.\u201d
\n\u201cOur seminaries, Masjids, prayer rooms and Islamic educational centers are not threat for Shias and the state. We are not opponents and enemies; rather, we are friends and brothers. Despite serious problems, the Sunni community of Iran has been supporting the Islamic Republic of Iran. They have never been a threat to their country.\u201d
\nKhateeb of Sunnis pointed out, \u201cIf Sunnis have Masjids in Tehran, one of the biggest centers of the Muslim world according to the Supreme Leader, of course it would have international sequences and the Shia community around the world would have benefited.\u201d
\nThe outstanding Iranian Sunni leader stated, \u201cWe call on the authorities, especially Ayatollah Khamenei who is on the top of the state and Shias and Sunnis resect him, to forbid elements and officials who interfere in the religious affairs of Sunni Muslims in Iran. Some authorities create problems for us by closing Sunnis\u2019 Masjids and prayer rooms; it hurts Sunni citizens a lot. We hope the system will focus on this issue with more attention.\u201d
\nIran\u2019s Sunnis not traitors to faith and country
\nShaikh Abdol-Hamid went on to say, \u201cPeace can be maintained by unity and solidarity. Extremists develop and boost when narrow-mindness, illegal restrictions rule in the country and religious liberties face challenges.\u201d
\n\u201cBut solidarity, unity, open-mindness and foresight will weaken Shia and Sunni extremists. Then sobriety will be boosted. By the grace of Allah, the enemies of have come to know that Sunnis of Iran are not traitors to their faith and country. We are ready to embrace death, but not to betray their faith and country. We will never put our hands in the hands of enemies.\u201d
\nMawlana Abdol-Hamid Isma\u2019eelzahi concluded his points by saying, \u201cWe want respect and our due rights. It is good the current government has taken some positive steps. We hope the government will take more important steps to utilize capacities of capable Sunnis in the higher management of the country. We hope to see Sunnis in the cabinet.\u201d
\nIn the last part of his speech, Khateeb of Sunnis alluded to prohibition of authorities from his trip to Makkah al-Mukarramah for taking part in the conference of \u2018Islam and counter-terrorism\u2019 and said, \u201cWe are sympathetic with the country and state. Allah knows well, when we go abroad anywhere, only sympathy is the aim of us. We are defenders of Islam and our country anywhere. Development and respect of Iran are ours too. We think the respect of the Muslim world is the honor of us too.\u201d
\nHe urged on the necessities of \u2018foresight and open-mindness\u2019, saying, \u201cThe more we have foresight and broad mind, the more we as well as others will be in ease. Otherwise, by narrow minds we will be in trouble, and it will create troubles for others too.
\nSource: Facebook Page of Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"