Expressing his regret over increasing numbers of civilian casualties in Gaza, the most influential Iranian Sunni leader called Israel’s attacks on Gaza a big crime against humanity. Shaikh Abdol-Hamid asked Muslim and non-Muslim countries to prevent Israel from committing such crimes.
He was talking to the people of Zahedan, capital city of Iranian Balochistan, before the Friday prayers on November 3, 2023.
“All of us should always judge fairly and be just. We should never ignore the facts. Not just as Muslims, or as Jews, but as human beings; we all human beings must see Gaza from the perspective of reality. Conscientious people who think about humanity and human rights can never tolerate or accept what is happening in Gaza today. The Israeli army and its authorities say that they were oppressed. However, we do not support what happened in Israel, but they should know what are they doing against Palestinian people are intolerable,” said the Iranian top Sunni leader in the presence of tens of thousands of Friday worshippers.
He questioned: “Do international laws and common sense allow you to massacre people like this?”
The president of Darululoom Zahedan continued: “According to statistics, nearly 1,500 people have been killed on Israeli side, but nearly 10,000 Palestinians have been killed on the other side. Most of the dead are children and women. According to the reports of media, nearly 4,000 of those killed in Gaza were children. Israel says we are enemies of Hamas. With what permission do you destroy a city with a population of more than two million? You destroy a big city because of a few Hamas forces. Why do you massacre people and destroy their capital and life?”
He added: “You are not fighting against a government, but against a group, but you are massacring women and children and defenseless and innocent people. It is not permissible to kill innocent people, whether they are Muslims or Jews or from any race. This is a human tragedy and a big crime against humanity.”
“Why the governments of the world have not been able to stop Israel’s atrocities? Where are the Islamic and non-Islamic countries, regional and European countries, and why they do not stop Israel? The US equips Israel with all she needs, and supports her. The United Nations and many human rights organizations are inside the US, and they always talk about humanity and human rights, but the US officials do not stop Israel from oppressing the Palestinian people. It does not stop from killing civilians,” said the Friday Imam of Zahedan.
“The governments of the world should have stopped Israel earlier and not allowing the problem to reach this level. Now, the number of casualties is high, the problem should be resolved through dialogue, negotiation and political means,” he urged.
The best solution is to form an independent state of Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital
The eminent Iranian Sunni scholar went on to continue his Friday speech by saying: “Two weeks ago, I said that the conflict in the Palestinian land has been going on for seventy-five years. Dozens and hundreds of resolutions have been passed and adopted in the United Nations, but Israel did not obey the resolutions because it had the power. One of the resolutions of the United Nations was that the formation of two independent governments could end the dispute. Recently, the UN adopted a Jordanian resolution that emphasizes the necessity of forming two independent states and the formation of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. This plan was approved by the majority. We are happy that our country, Iran, has also voted in favor of the same resolution.”
“I said before that the best solution is the formation of an independent Palestinian state, but some people attacked me and used harsh words against me, while the same issue was approved in the recent UN resolution. We hope that Allah Almighty will solve the problems of the Palestinian people forever. I would like to ask all the governments of the world and all those who think about human rights to stop Israel and convince the Israeli authorities to stop oppression and crimes,” Imam of the Grand Makki Mosque of Zahedan said.
Governments should have broad vision and see all the people
The most outstanding Iranian Baloch scholar referred to the domestic problems of Iran, and mentioned Allah and the nation as two main pivots, saying: “I have said in the past that Allah and the nation are two important pivots. Governments of the world must rely on them. Allah addresses the Prophet, peace be upon him, and says: Allah and the believers who follow you are sufficient for you. It is important that governments see both God and the nation. Considering people and listening to them, and paying attention to their wishes and fulfilling their needs, is the best policy.”
“Governments can see the nation when they show patience and are not narrow minded. A narrow view makes people angry and creates problems. The holy Prophet’s way of governing was to tolerate the people. In the last moments of his life, the Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, advised Mohajerin\ the Emigrants to tolerate Ansar/the Helpers. The holy Prophet also advised Muslims to treat non-Muslims who live in Islamic territory well,” said the Friday Khateeb of Zahedan.
“Narrow-mindedness” is the reason for the problems in the country
The president of Darululoom Zahedan further said: “Narrow-mindedness is the reason for the problems we are facing in the country for so many years. Those who have a high opinion bring everyone close to them and take care of everyone’s problems. Narrow minded people admit only like-minded people of their circle. Those who are out of their circles and disagree with your opinion are the people of Iran, and they should be admitted and tolerated. If you see only one group or party, it will cause you to miss the others.”
“The problems in the country have increased, and the economy and people’s livelihood have reached a critical stage. The officials have not been able to solve the problems. Apparently, there is no clear horizon to solve the problems. Unfortunately, fundamental steps have not been taken to solve the problems. Solving problems with a broad view and making changes is possible. Negotiate with everyone and engage capable managers to the key posts on merit.”
Freedom and justice are the main demands of the Iranian nation
The Iranian prominent Sunni leader urged on freedoms, and said: “Freedom and justice are very important, and they are the main demands of the Iranian nation. Justice must be implemented and discriminations must be removed. Freedom is a public demand. Critics should be tolerated so that journalists and writers can reflect the facts. The release of journalists and political prisoners is also a public demand. The country can move towards unity when the people’s demands are fulfilled.”
The reopening of Poonak prayer house in Tehran is the demand of all
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid pointed to the closure and seizure of the Poonak prayer house in Tehran, and said: “In these days when all the people are worried about the situation of Palestine and Gaza, the authorities sealed a prayer house of Sunnis in Tehran. The Sunni community and all free-minded people of Iran are strongly complaining. You had to let the people talk about the oppressed people of Gaza at this time, instead of making the worshipers to cry about their problems and complaining that their prayer house is sealed and disowned.”
“Due to wrong policies, atheism has increased in the country. In the Islamic Republic, people should be encouraged to worship Allah freely and pray. What will answer to Allah those who close down prayer rooms and places of worship? It is the request of all, especially the request of the worshipers of the Poonak prayer house, that this worship place must be reopened,” he added.
Officials should refrain from destroying people’s houses in villages
Referring to the destruction of rural houses in the suburb of Zahedan city last week, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said: “Local authorities have destroyed a village near Zahedan. The residents of this village said that they suffered a lot of damage. I would like to tell the authorities that if the law is to be implemented, it should be implemented before construction, but when a house is built, it should not be destroyed. I request the authorities to prevent such destruction. The lands belong to the people, let them build houses.”
Referring to the anniversary of the Bloody Friday crime in Khash, the Iranian Sunni leader honored the memory of the martyrs of this incident. He called on the authorities for the punishment of the perpetrators and leaders behind the events of Bloody Fridays in Zahedan and Khash.”
“It is the demand of all to try the perpetrators behind the Bloody Fridays of Zahedan and Khash”, he said.
Comments