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.
Talking to tens of thousands worshippers in Zahedan on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, Khateeb of Sunnis said, “In the last week a delegation under the title of ‘One Ummah’ 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.”
“I 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’ unity boosts their respect and heightens their value,” he added more.
The rector of Darululoom Zahedan further said, “Keeping 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.”
“We 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,” Shaikh Isma’eelzahi underlined.
He termed the Sunni community of Iran ‘an opportunity for the Islamic Republic of Iran’ and said, “I believe the Sunni community of Iran is the best opportunity for Shia brothers and the regime of Iran. I think both Shias and Sunnis are opportunities for each other as well as for the governing regime. We are brothers in faith and motherland.”
“It is a test for both Shias and Sunnis to respect each other’s 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.”
Iran can enhance its status in the world by Sunnis
The eminent Islamic scholar emphasized, saying, “36 years have been passed since the revolution took place; but the authorities and the leaders of the regime 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.”
He said, “If 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.”
Religious centers of the Iranian Sunnis not threat for Shias and regime
In another part of his speech, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said, “I must make it clear that the Sunni community of Iran is neither a threat for Shias nor the regime of 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.”
“Our seminaries, Masjids, prayer rooms and Islamic educational centers are not threat for Shias and the regime. 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 threat to their country.”
Khateeb of Sunnis pointed out, “If 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.”
The outstanding Iranian Sunni leader stated, “We 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’ Masjids and prayer rooms; it hurts Sunni citizens a lot. We hope the regime will focus on this issue with more attention.”
Iran’s Sunnis not traitors to faith and country
Shaikh Abdol-Hamid went on to say, “Peace 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.”
“But 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.”
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid Isma’eelzahi concluded his points by saying, “We 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.”
In 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 ‘Islam and counter-terrorism’ and said, “We are sympathetic with the country and regime. 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.”
He urged on the necessity of ‘foresight and open-mindness’, saying, “The 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.