Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan urged on maintaining reverence of mosques and all worship places of the country and asked the authorities to avoid from destroying them.
The official website of Shaikh Abdol-Hamid reports that he addressed civil and judicial authorities in a part of his speech of April 26, 2019 and said: “Mosques have a special reverence. We oppose destruction of mosques even if they have been built in illegal places. We are also against demolition of people’s homes; if you demolish their homes, then avoid from demolition of mosques.”
“Houses belong to people but mosque is ascribed to Allah. This connection is respectable. Sometimes authorities demolish mosques because of complaint submitted by any state department that the mosque had been built illegally. This is a wrong behavior. Even mosques in abandoned areas should remain safe,” he added more.
Shaikh Abdol-Hamid alluded to wrong reasoning of some people from the demolition of Dhirar mosque in the time of the prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, and said: “Masjid al-Dhirar was demolished by the direct order of the Almighty with the revelation that the mosque had been built by hypocrites. It was a compound against Islam. When the prophet PBUH was returning from the battle of Tabouk, the hypocrites demanded him to offer prayers in that mosque, but the prophet was informed by wahy/revelation that the mosque had been built for creating dissension and differences. Then it was demolished.”
“Mosques are religious basis of people and their dignity should be preserved. As well as worship places of other religions should be protected,” he added more.
President of Darululoom Zahedan further said: “Desecration of mosques has negative consequences. Due to some similar acts in our country, countless damages have been emerged.”
“One of dears asked me that he had been told to take part in building a Shia mosque; I told him that mosques belong to Allah. We build mosques not for politician and interests. The officials should not demolish any mosque; neither the mosques of Shias nor the mosques of Sunnis. Otherwise there would be propaganda against the state and it just creates hate and enmity. Churches and synagogues as well as worship places of all religions should be respected. Everyone is responsive for his way of worshipping.”
Attacks on Sri Lanka churches were shocking
The most influential Iranian Sunni leader expressed his regret on explosions took place last week in Sri Lanka at some churches and hotels.
He said: “The incident of Sri Lanka where some radicals targeted churches and killed and wounded dozens of people really shocked us.”
“Before this incident, some radicals raided Muslim worshipers in mosques in New Zealand and martyred them. These tragedies were really shocking and the whole world was worried and affected,” Shaikh Abdol-Hamid added more.
He denounced attacks on worship places and asked: “Why the people who go to worship places – regardless to their faith- should be targeted? Why insecurity has been expanded to mosques and worship places? Why mosques and worship places have been threatened?”
“Attacking worship places is an illogical act. The superior culture of Islam and the pure culture of all people cannot accept raids on worship places. This situation is really alarming and worrisome for the Iranian nation and all free-minded and wise people of the world,” Maulana Abdol-Hamid said.
He emphasized: “All worship places are respectable and people in any worship place should not be targeted. We announce our anxiety on the incidents of New Zealand and Sri Lanka and term them incorrect acts.”
“We call on all groups and parties – with any culture and religion – to avoid from extremism. They should avoid from exciting and hurting emotions of Muslims and non-Muslims around the world,” Khateeb of Sunni in Zahedan urged.
At the end of his speech, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid congratulated the Day of Councils to the members of all city and village councils. He said: “Council is a likeable thing and Islam urges on consultation and counselling.”