Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah in Zahedan refused statements of some influential Shia clerics over the ‘growing population’ of the Sunni community in Iran in his recent Friday speech on March 28, 2014.
He said, “Recently, media sources quoted some influential Shia scholars who expressed their concerns over the growth of Sunnis’ population in Iran. If any common person speaks out to show concerns on such baseless news, it can be due to his ignorance, but when learned scholars talk about such issues, we can complain.”
“First, if such statements are true that Sunnis are growing in number in their country, there must not be any concern as both Shias and Sunnis belong to the Iranian nation; they belong to this land. Secondly, such claims and statements are wrong which are based on baseless and false reports sent to officials and Shia clerics. For example, a Shia scholar claimed recently that Sunnis had occupied the seat of majority in one of the provinces where Shias were in majority before. While according to researches, since the beginning Sunnis have been in majority in that province,” Shaikh Abdol-Hamid underlined.
He further said, “We know some religious leaders want to encourage Shia masses in Iran to avoid birth control; but it is not a correct way of encouragement and propagation for growing population. If the population of Shias grows up, we will be happy as they are our brothers. When we are brothers, we must not be afraid of each other. The fact is that the population growth has been equal for the both communities in Iran.”
He concluded his points by saying unfortunately telling lie has dominated in the country on a high stage. Some weeks ago, a cleric claimed 100 students get education in each Sunni masjid! While masjids are for establishing prayers not students; they get education in schools and seminaries. However, all should be happy and proud if the number of true and practicing Muslims grows up in any community.
Implementation of the National Constitution ensures survival of the regime
Alluding to the Islamic Republic Day in Iran, the Iranian Sunni leader said, “Following the victory of revolution in 1979, the Iranian nation widely took part in referendum next year; the majority said “yes” to the Islamic republic system on 31 March 1980. People wanted to take part in their fate by elections directly.”
“The republic system which was approved by the nation is not a Western type; rather it is an Islamic republic. It means the Islamic commands and regulations are important for the Iranian nation.”
He added more, “Now, the most important point is the comprehensive and correct execution of the constitution; it is a national convention which needs to be implemented properly and justly.”
The member of the International Union for Muslim Scholars pointed out to some examples of the forgotten articles of the Iranian constitution and stated, “All kinds of liberties affirmed in the constitution should be accessible for people; freedom of speech, forming parties and organizations are among the basic rights of people. None of individuals and groups can ban on such liberties or impose any limitation. So the just execution of the constitution can be one of the most important priorities of the cabinet of president Rouhani and the rest officials in the regime.”
“Iran is a pluralistic, multilingual, and a multi-ethnic society. So, all societies and communities should get their due rights impartially. None of state-run and non-state entities should have the right of creating obstacles in this regard; the law must have respect for the entire nation, especially for the executors of it. By correct implementation of the constitution the nation will be satisfied and it is the factor that ensures the survival of the regime and revolution,” he concluded.