Dozens of the Iranian scholars and MPs met with the president Hassan Rouhani ahead of the Unity Week in Iran on Sunday 11th Dec. 2016 in Tehran.
“SunniOnline” reported dozens of Sunni rectors, imams and Friday preachers along with some Sunni members of the Majlis (parliament) took part in a gathering with the Iranian president Dr. Hassan Rouhani.
The meeting took place few days before the Unity Week in Iran and the birthday anniversary of the Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him.
Rouhani: Ethnic and religious variety is not a threat to security
Talking to the Iranian Sunni elites, president Rouhani said, “Ethnic and religious variety is not a threat to security, but rather a big opportunity for unity and national development.”
“Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) lifestyle is a common model for all Muslims,” said Rouhani congratulating Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birthday as his website quoted.
He pointed out, “I have always told ministers to exercise meritocracy and consider all ethnic and religious groups in appointing officials”.
“The Islamic aspect of our Revolution belongs to all branches of Islam and Iranian ethnicities,” the Iranian president made it clear.
‘It is the time to use capable Sunnis’
In the meeting some Sunni scholars also talked to the audience. For his part, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid said, “Iranian Sunnis have been taking part to strengthen peace and national solidarity. They have always been resisting against fanaticism and international arrogance.”
“Utilizing Sunnis for the official departments is very limited in the Sunni-dominated areas, even in some regions the rate is zero. The process of development without the utilization of the capabilities of Sunnis and their participation cannot work,” he urged.
The eminent Islamic scholar said, “For implementation of justice there should be some tools; employing local residents of the two sects is one of the ways to execute justice. This is the time to employ Sunnis to disappoint the enemies of Islam forever.”
Pointing out to the religious rights of the Sunni community in Iran, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said, “Our religious freedom is at stake in many areas including Tehran; religious pressure has now been intensifying.”
“In the city where churches and other worship places are active, why Sunnis cannot have their own mosque? Why Sunnis have been under pressure when they offer prayers in prayer-houses? These acts bring disputes,” he underlined.
The rector of Darululoom Zahedan called on the president Rouhani to take the case of Sunnis’ rights and problems directly and personally.
Mawlana Motahhari criticized harsh discrimination in Khaaf
Talking to the president, authorities and Iranian Sunni elites, Mawlana Habib-ur-Rahman Motahhari alluded to the problems of people in Khaaf district of Khorasan Razavi province.
He said, “Sunnis in Khaaf district constitute 75% of the entire population. They need more attention; if you cannot appoint any Sunni governor for the city, at least appoint a vice-governor from the majority Sunni community.”
Dr. Pirani: Remove security watch from the country
General Secretary of Jamaa’t Dawat-o-Eslah, Dr. Abdur-Rahman Pirani said, “I’d like to express my thanks to Mr. President on preparation of the draft of Bill of Citizenship Rights. The rights of all citizens, regardless to their ethnic and religious identity, should be preserved.”
The Sunni politician also urged on removal of security watch and behavior from the country and said, “The economic needs of people should be provided. It helps in the strengthening of security and peace.”
At the end of his speech, Mr. Pirani demanded “giving Sunni citizens opportunity to get more and more government posts” and termed it effectual on “boosting bilateral trust, unity and national solidarity”.