The Solution to Palestinian Issue, a “Just Agreement”

Referring to the recent Israel-Palestine conflicts in the occupied territories and invasion of Gaza, the most outstanding Iranian Sunni scholar considered “a fair and just agreement” and “establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital” the best solution to resolve this seventy-five-year-old dispute.

Shaikh Abdol-Hamid was talking to tens of thousands of worshipers before the Friday prayers on October 13, 2023.

What happened in Palestine shocked the entire world
Most supporters of Israel and Palestine pursue their own interests
The Iranian top Sunni leader referred to the critical situation of the Palestinian people, and said: “The terrible and cruel conflicts that took place in the Palestinian territories shocked the entire world. The heartbreaking scenes of Palestine are painful for the free and awake people of the world. The Palestinian land has been involved in war and disputes for more than seventy-five years. Unfortunately, the differences between Palestinians and Israelis have not been resolved yet. The both sides have been trying to destroy each other.”

“Although efforts have been made to establish peace, but these efforts have not been successful due to the interference of other countries. Mostly, those who stand up to support Israel or the Palestinians, in fact pursue their own interests. Palestine is one of the strategic and important lands. Those who support Israel, they want to achieve their interests in the Middle East through this land. On the other hand, some countries that support Palestine are also looking for their own interests,” said the Friday prayer leader of Sunnis in Zahedan.

“Few governments support the Palestinian nation with sincerity and compassion. If they made efforts for the sake of Allah and with sincerity, and if they pursued the development of Palestine, the problems would have been solved,” he believed.

For us, humanity matters; both sides should observe international laws
No one tolerates demolition of Gaza
“Humanity is important for us. As Muslims, we must not go beyond justice and must always be fair. We will not support anyone blindly. We do not support extravagance, killing of women and children by any side. In Islamic law and according to the international custom, war should be through its rules. If a Muslim does not observe the Islamic and international regulations of war, and attacks civilians, women and children, we will not support him,” the president of Darululoom Zahedan insisted.

He said more: “A Muslims must adhere to Shari’ah, and respect international laws, the other side should not violate the international customs and laws of war also. Palestinian Muslims should not ignore the laws of Islam, even in war and defense cases. The Israeli government and the Jews should not ignore the laws of war and international customs, too.”

“In the recent war, both sides made mistakes in the issues of women and children. Now, we see heartbreaking scenes from Gaza. The city is in complete destruction. Why the international community and the world do not stop this violence? More than two million people live in Gaza; after this city is destroyed, where will the people of the city immigrate? It has been reported in the media that more than four hundred thousand people of Gaza have been displaced. No country has accepted them as refugees yet. No one tolerates what is happening in Gaza,” Mawlana Abdol-Hamid said.

Why the 75-year-long conflict in Palestine has not resolved yet?
Instead of unilateral support, the world must solve the Palestinian issue
“My words are not in response to anyone, nor has anyone asked me to say anything. I am stating some facts. Maybe, many Muslims are not satisfied with this, but I would like to tell what I consider just and fair. Jews and Palestinians are two nations that have been living together for at least seventy-five years. Although both nations have hit each other, but what Palestinians have suffered and endured has been more; because Israel has had more facilities and freedom,” the eminent Iranian Sunni leader said.

He added more: “How long will these two nations fight against each other? Both Muslims and Jews should think about their children and future generations, and live peacefully. Why the seventy-five-year-old dispute has not been resolved yet? Both sides must think of a solution; they have to reach a fair and just solution. Instead of thinking to destroy each other, they must sit together and talk to each other.”

“Instead of unilateral support to Israel, the world should help to solve the problem of the people of this land. The holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, sat with his fiercest enemies and inked up a peace treaty. This treaty led to victory, while the people of Makkah expelled the Prophet and his companions from Makkah and fought them. In the issue of Palestine, we must reach a fair and just solution,” the Friday Imam of Sunnis in Zahedan called on for a peace treaty between two states.

A Palestinian state should be established with Jerusalem as its capital
He further said: “Many may disagree with me, and say that Israel must be eliminated. They say that the Israelis had come from somewhere else, and they must return. The fact is that neither the Muslims can destroy or expel all Israelis, nor the Israelis can destroy the Muslims. If they could, they would have done it. This is not possible! Why some insist on what is impossible.”

He continued: “Both sides should sit together and solve the problem. Two independent governments must establish; this is my viewpoint. I believe everyone should think fairly; both the opponents of the Palestinians and the opponents of Israel must think fairly. The best way that many people believe is to form two independent governments. The Palestinian state should be established with the city of Bait-ul-Maqdis (Jerusalem) as the capital city; because this city is the first Qibla of Muslims and has a special sanctity for the Muslim world. The experts support this idea, and the experiences of 75 years long dispute prove the solution. We hope that a fair agreement will be made in the future.”

“We ask the international community to stop war and the destruction of cities, especially the destruction of Gaza. War cannot solve the problems. No one should think to harm others, but all must have a broad vision and think about their lives and future generations,” he called on the international community to stop the war.

Help the affected people of Herat earthquake
Referring to the recent earthquake in Afghanistan’s Herat, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said: “A terrible earthquake occurred in Herat and its neighboring areas. The people of Herat deserve sympathy. Villages and people’s houses have been destroyed. Some families have died in this earthquake. In some families, only one person survived. Women and children are the most victims of the earthquake. These people must be helped. Big financial losses hit people.”

“The earthquake victims of Herat expect the people, and the international community and charity institutions to help them. Building houses and shelters is the most important help to the earthquake victims. The Islamic government of Afghanistan should help the earthquake victims and work hard to build suitable houses for them with the cooperation of the world,” said the prominent scholar of Iranian Balochistan.

“As a human being and as a compassionate, I would like to ask people to help the earthquake victims. Mawlana Abdul Aziz, the founder of Darululoom Zahedan, may Allah have mercy on him, used to say that those who help the afflicted people, Allah Almighty will not afflict them with calamity,” the president of Darululoom Zahedan asked people to help earthquake victims of Afghanistan.

Reform of the society is not possible by the use of force
The most outstanding Iranian Sunni scholar urged that no Muslim should force anyone to embrace Islam, and said: “The Holy Qur’an says: there is no compulsion in religion. Allah instructs the holy Prophet, peace be upon him, and his Companions that they should not pressure people to accept the religion of Islam. No Muslim should force others to embrace Islam. Instead of coercing and resorting to force, guide people and carry out the duty of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil.”

“Guide people compassionately to prayers, and to good deeds. If someone commits a sin, guide him; this way helps to lead the society towards development and prosperity. It has been experienced that the community cannot be reformed by resorting to force and coercing. Convince people to practice rituals of the religion. If you convince people by logic and reasons, it is much better than imposing heavy financial penalties. The issue of Hijab cannot be solved with force and with imposing financial penalties,” said Mawlana Abdol-Hamid.

Imam of the Grand Makki Mosque of Zahedan concluded his Friday sermons, and said: “Islam does not accept these fines. Instead of resorting to force and imposing strict laws and fines, the authorities should adopt other measures. There should not be hatred, confusion, and enmity in the society. Implementing justice and fairness, removing discrimination and solving people’s problems are the best ways to get rid of all problems. The government and the officials should not enact strict rules; rather, they should implement the current laws wisely.”