Demanding \u2018participation of the Iranian Sunni community in the management of the country\u2019, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid called on the authorities to ensure \u2018religious freedoms\u2019 of the Sunni Muslims in Iran.<\/p>\n
Talking to tens of thousands in Zahedan on August 26, 2016, the outstanding Iranian Sunni leader pointed out to \u2018two basic anxieties\u2019 of the Iranian Sunnis and said, \u201cSunnis\u2019 satisfaction can be obtained by preserving their respect. The Sunnis have been ignored and marginalized from key posts in the national, provincial and district levels; thus it is contemptuous for them\u201d.
\n\u201cThere are some offices with three hundred personnel in the cities with majority of Sunnis, but the share of them is only ten or fifteen. It hurts us,\u201d he added more.
\nKhateeb and Friday imam of Sunnis in Zahedan went to say more, \u201cThere is no any excuse for ignoring Sunnis\u2019 talented citizens. The principle of meritocracy should be held seriously in the country. The competent members of ethnic and religious communities should not be marginalized.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sunnis should have religious freedom in the whole country<\/strong> We are heirs of Iran<\/strong> Nuclear deal; the biggest achievement of the government<\/strong> We have strong complaints about Sistan\u2019s Sunnis<\/strong> Demanding \u2018participation of the Iranian Sunni community in the management of the country\u2019, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid called on the authorities to ensure \u2018religious freedoms\u2019 of the Sunni Muslims in Iran.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":6414,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-c81-speeches"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nAlluding to the second anxiety of the Iranian Sunni community, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said, \u201cWe want our religious freedoms in the whole country. We only want the rights which have been clarified in the national constitution. Biased and illegal behavior is not tolerable for our society.\u201d
\nHe, then pointed to the problems of some Sunni prayer-houses in Tehran, and said, \u201cThe establishment of the obligatory prayers is one of the duties of the government as the Noble Qur\u2019an has made it clear. Anyone in any corner of Iran wants to offer prayers; there must not be any limitation. Even the followers of other religions such as Christians and Jews also should have freedom to worship according to their faith.\u201d
\n\u201cWe are sure creating troubles for Sunni worshipers will make them angry. Our enemies are awaiting such issues to create anxieties. The top authorities should stop lower officials who lack foresight and make Sunnis worried. It is unexpected to see some people ban our prayer-houses and five-time prayers,\u201d the rector of Darululoom Zahedan said.
\nHe further underlined, \u201cWe hope the ongoing government would not remain apathetic in this case. The government authorities should fulfill their responsibilities by controlling wayward powerful elements. Religious freedom is a basic right of people; without this freedom there is no any liberty, in fact.\u201d
\n\u201cAll should act upon the law and respect it. We oppose violence and extremism because we want our legal rights. If we present any demand above the law, refuse it,\u201d Shaikh Abdol-Hamid added more.<\/p>\n
\nPointing out to the Iranian origin of Sunni ethnic communities, he said, \u201cReligious freedom is the right of every Iranian and we are Iranians, too. Sunnis including Persians, Baloch, Kurd, Turk, Turkmen, Arab and other ethnicities have roots in Iran. We are heirs of Iran. Tehran belongs to all Iranians as the other parts of Iran belong to all Iranians.\u201d
\n\u201cWe should enjoy full freedom in Tehran and other metropolises; no one can tell us you are Baloch and you have nothing to do in Tehran. We will never compromise on this issue. We have been defending our country; it is nonsense some elements show reluctance about Sunnis. In the Islamic regime some sides cannot tolerate prayers (Namaz); it does not suit an Islamic state,\u201d Shaikh Isma\u2019eelzahi emphasized.
\nAddressing the top Iranian leaders, the outstanding Iranian Sunni scholar said, \u201cWe expect the supreme leader would follow up the case of our problems directly. Also, president Rouhani is expected to support us as he was supported by the votes of ethnic communities. Such sensitive issues should not be abandoned for others, even his ministers.\u201d
\n\u201cWe should not have anxieties in the country; all should stand against sectarianism. The elements that create troubles for the Sunni community are inside the ruling regime but in lower posts. They have no foresight as they do not see the facts inside and outside of the country. The elites of the regime should control their fanatic elements,\u201d Khateeb of Sunnis made it clear.<\/p>\n
\nCongratulating the \u2018Government Week\u2019 of Iran to provincial and national authorities, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid termed the nuclear deal with the world powers \u2018the biggest achievement\u2019 of the current government.
\nHe said, \u201cBy nuclear deal most of the sanctions, threats and dangers against the country have been removed or decreased. It was in accordance with the interests of the Iranian nation and Islamic Republic of Iran.\u201d
\nPointing out to some problems in the province of Sistan-Baluchistan, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid said, \u201cPoverty and unemployment have been raged in Sistan-Baluchistan. There are many problems. Drought and on the other hand poverty and economic crises harm people. We hope the government will take bigger steps to decrease the crises.\u201d
\n \u201cTo be just, there have been some positive changes in two provinces as the capable educated members of the ethnic communities were employed. But the expectations of the ethnic and religious minorities \u2013who suffered more than others- have not been fulfilled yet,\u201d he reminded the president.<\/p>\n
\nAlluding to the unjust condition of the Sunni citizens in Sistan region, southeastern Iran, the prominent Sunni leader urged, \u201cThere has not been any kind of change in some provinces to employ and engage Sunnis in the managing offices. There are districts with Sunni majority but they have been neglected.\u201d
\n\u201cIn Sistan region which has five districts, Sunnis\u2019 population is near to the majority Shia. Shia and Sunni communities have long and deep positive relations in that area; they live together peacefully and fraternally. But Sunnis suffer from discrimination and we have strong complaints in this regard. Sunnis of Sistan always ask us to convey their message to the authorities,\u201d he added more.
\nConcluding his points, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid underlined, \u201cWe hope the ruling politicians will fulfil their promises during the remaining one year of their government.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"