Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid, during today’s Friday prayers (Nov 8, 2024), attributed the recent victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election to “the Democrats’ support for Israel’s merciless killing of defenseless women, children, and civilians in Gaza and Lebanon.”
According to the Sunni Friday Prayer Office of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol Hamid observed, “The Democrats, who succeeded in defeating Donald Trump four years ago, have now suffered defeat in this U.S. presidential election, with the Republicans emerging victorious. This victory by Donald Trump surprised numerous analysts, political experts, and even certain members within the Republican Party itself.”
He continued, “Various analyses have been offered regarding the Democrats’ defeat; some may attribute it to economic issues or other factors. However, my assessment is that the primary cause of the Democrats’ defeat in both the presidential and Senate elections lies in their support for the merciless massacre of defenseless women, children, and civilians during Israel’s attacks on Gaza and Lebanon. This loss reflects the cries of the oppressed people of Gaza and Lebanon—a perspective overlooked by many analysts and experts.”
Mawlana Abdol Hamid emphasized, “Be assured that the Israeli statesmen, military, and all who participate in Israel’s atrocities will eventually face consequences. Divine justice is impartial toward religion; if a Muslim were to commit oppression by killing Christian and Jewish women and children and destroying cities and homes, they too would face divine punishment.”
He added, “Allah Almighty regards actions, and He aids those who act with justice, fairness, and compassion, for ‘A kingdom may survive disbelief, but it will not survive oppression.’”
Republicans Should Avoid the Democrats’ Mistake; The Gaza and Lebanon War Should End, and Palestinians Should Attain Their Rights
Mawlana Abdol Hamid continued, “Our counsel to the Republicans is to avoid repeating the Democrats’ error concerning the war in Gaza and Lebanon. Although the Democrats may hold certain positive views, their support for the substantial human toll in Gaza and Lebanon was a grave misstep, and we urge the Republicans not to replicate it.”
He added, “Our message to Donald Trump is that he must fulfill his promise to ‘end wars,’ ensuring the prompt cessation of hostilities in Gaza and Lebanon. Palestinians should attain their rightful entitlements, occupied lands should be restored, and an independent Palestinian state established to facilitate peace and a fair resolution.”
Appointing a Local Governor for Sistan-Baluchestan Fulfilled the Aspiration of All Provincial Citizens; This Appointment Has Brought Joy to All Ethnicities and Sects in the Province
Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana, in another segment of his Friday sermon, addressed the appointment of a Sunni Baloch governor for Sistan-Baluchestan by the 14th government, stating, “The appointment of a local governor for Sistan-Baluchestan—a demand shared by all provincial citizens—has delighted all ethnicities and sects in this province, as locals possess a greater understanding of the region’s challenges, hardships, and intricacies. The appointed governor is a qualified and experienced individual.”
He added, “Although I had not been able to participate in meetings for some time, I attended the introductory session for the new governor of Sistan-Baluchestan because I believe that right actions deserve support. When we call others to ‘fairness,’ we must endorse every righteous action and openly identify any mistaken conduct.”
The Governor of Sistan-Baluchestan Should Employ “Capable and Clean-Handed” Managers
Mawlana Abdol Hamid underscored the importance of “employing capable and clean-handed managers in the province,” advising, “Our recommendation to the new governor of Sistan-Baluchestan is to select competent and honest managers, irrespective of their ethnicity, sect, political affiliations, or family connections. Both the government and the public benefit from having skilled, public-oriented managers in positions of responsibility.”
The People of Sistan-Baluchestan Should Solve the Province’s Problems with Unity and Support for the Governor
The Imam of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol Hamid, stated, “The appointment of a local governor presents an opportunity for the people of Sistan-Baluchestan to resolve the province’s issues with unity, solidarity, and support for a governor who is one of their own, with special powers granted to him. My perspective is that this appointment, along with other anticipated appointments in the province and the country, will have a significant impact on fostering unity and solidarity among the people.”
He further emphasized, “The people of Sistan-Baluchestan are united, and here, we are one—there is no distinction between Baloch, Sistani, Shia, and Sunni. What matters most is that the people of the province maintain unity and solidarity, enabling them to solve the province’s complex problems and move toward progress and a harmonious environment. We hope that ‘eliminating discrimination,’ a step already taken by the government, will continue, and that the government of Mr. Pazeghan, as promised, will remove discrimination against women, ethnic groups, and religious communities.”
Sistan-Baluchestan Requires “Special Attention” in Economic Matters
In another part of his speech, Mawlana Abdol Hamid referred to the visit of the Minister of Economy and Finance, the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free Trade Zones, and the Head of the Iranian Customs Administration to Sistan-Baluchestan. He welcomed these officials and said, “The people of Sistan-Baluchestan suffer more than others across the country due to economic and livelihood challenges. The costs in the customs offices of the province are high, while the available facilities are minimal.”
He continued, “Our request is that economic matters receive attention across the country; however, given the specific challenges in Sistan-Baluchestan, this province must receive special attention. In the customs offices and free trade zones in the province, facilities should be provided for the people, and their interests should be considered.”
Mawlana Abdol Hamid added, “In the coastal regions and free zones, as well as the major mines operating in the province, the interests of the local people should be prioritized. While the national and corporate interests of those operating in these areas and mines should also be considered, it should not be the case that all the benefits go to a specific company or a select few individuals, while the people of the region bear the costs and suffer.”
The Friday prayer leader of Zahedan concluded, “The borders should be opened, and officials should not be overly concerned with security issues. Instead, they should focus on the concerns of the people. Steps taken toward the people will lead to the establishment and maintenance of security. Other methods have been tried for maintaining security in the past, but gaining the satisfaction of the people has proven to be the most effective approach.”
The People and Authorities Must Safeguard Security
Mawlana Abdol Hamid further emphasized the importance of “preserving security” and stated, “I am confident that Sistan-Baluchestan is moving toward security. Instability and the killing of innocent people benefit no one; both the government and the people gain from security.”
He stressed, “The people, the authorities, and all social sectors must safeguard security. Authorities must be vigilant to ensure that no innocent person is killed on the roads or in cities by their actions. Similarly, the people must protect the province’s security to prevent any harm to the authorities or anyone else. If someone has an issue, it should be pursued through national laws, international norms, and the proper legal channels.”
We Expect Sistan-Baluchestan to Be a “Workshop Region” Rather Than a “Security Zone”
Mawlana Abdol Hamid asserted, “Our expectation is that Sistan-Baluchestan should transform from a ‘security and military zone’ into a ‘workshop region.’ Factories and workshops should be established in the province to create employment opportunities for the people. Based on my understanding and experience in the province, I say that you should move forward with the people’s best interests in mind, without worrying about security. Rest assured, the people themselves will ensure the preservation of security.”
Public Sensitivity to Certain Long-standing Policies Necessitates Reform
In the concluding part of his Friday sermon in Zahedan, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid addressed the issue of policies that, in his view, require immediate reconsideration: “There are certain matters that I will briefly touch upon without delving too deeply. National and local officials, particularly the administration of Mr. Pezeshkian, should recognize that there are policies to which people, both across the country and in this province, are especially sensitive.”
He emphasized, “Some of these policies have remained unchanged since the early days of the revolution, despite having adversely impacted both the state and its citizens. These policies must be halted and revised. Reforming these policies is in the best interest of both the state and the people. The authorities can be assured that they will incur no harm if they respond positively to public demands.”
Mawlana Abdol Hamid further stressed, “I emphasize that ‘divine-centeredness’ and ‘people-centeredness’ are of utmost importance. We must steadfastly uphold these principles and be vigilant to ensure we do not lose our connection with either ‘God’ or ‘the people.’”
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