The outstanding Iranian Sunni leader criticized provincial authorities over forbidding him to travel to Rameshk city of Kerman province.
The official website of Shaikh Abdol-Hamid quoted some parts of his speech during a graduation ceremony in Koteych town of Fannuj district. He said: “Officials in any organization represent the Islamic Republic of Iran and they should have a long sight and broad mind. They have no way but to higher their tolerance. It is a sincere advice to them.”
The prominent Sunni scholar has told news agencies that he can travel only to Tehran and Qom outside of Sistan-Baluchistan province.
“This is not the time of saying to someone you belong to Sistan-Baluchistan and this is Kerman. Tehran, Kerman, Sistan-Baluchistan and the rest of provinces belong to Iran and Iran is the country of the entire nation,” he added more.
The president of Darululoom Zahedan further said: “If you see peace and calmness in the frontier region, it is just because of Ulama and people’s efforts and cooperation. I have been threatened many times by extremists, but I have not gone back. We expected the officials in Kerman would welcome us and they would be happy that we wanted to enter Kerman.”
He asked for punishment and correction of fanatic elements who opposed his trip to Rameshk city. Rameshk is a city where mainly Sunni Balochs live and it was a part of Baluchistan until three decades ago.
The eminent Iranian Sunni leader addressed the short-sighted sides and said: “Open your eyes and watch the world well. It is not the time of saying people you are ‘Sunni’ or ‘Shia’. We have resolved these issues in our province.”
“Sometimes I regret when I see we Iranians do not value our elites and intellectuals. There are Iranian citizens whose capabilities are being respected and recognized by the world; we should bring them back to the country and utilize their capabilities,” he underlined.
At the end of his speech, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid conveyed his message to the people of Rameshk calling on them to act on the religion strongly and do not forget their endless life and grave.
He also said: “The respectable people of Rameshk! If I could not meet you this time, God willing we will meet in Rameshk in another time.”