“The People are Dissatisfied with the Proposed Ministers’ Composition”

Shaikh ul Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid, the Friday prayer leader of the Sunni community in Zahedan, criticized the absence of Sunni representation and the inclusion of only one woman in the cabinet proposed by Masoud Pezeshkian during his Friday sermon on August 16, 2024.
According to the official website of the Friday Prayer Leader of the Sunni community in Zahedan, Shaikh ul Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid stated: “These days, a segment of the Iranian nation that voted and participated in the election is concerned about the future. What truly influenced the election and brought people to the polls were the compelling speeches of Mr. Pezeshkian during his addresses and debates, where he articulated many of the people’s pains and the discriminations prevalent in the country.”
He added: “For about 45 years, women, ethnic groups, religious minorities, the general public, and scholars have been lamenting. When Mr. Pezeshkian promised to form a government of national unity, all these groups became hopeful, and Mr. Pezeshkian’s words turned much of the despair into hope.”

A “National Unity” Government Should Include Women and Sunnis
The Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan emphasized: “Half of Iran’s population, out of their conscience, did not vote, stating that even if Pezeshkian wants to, he will not be allowed to implement those programs. Now that the government has chosen its ministers, people are worried that the promises made will not be fulfilled with these ministers.”
He expressed: “This is not a government of national unity. The meaning of national unity is that both women and Sunnis are included in the cabinet, and competent and capable individuals are present in the government.”

The First Step of the Fourteenth Government Has Not Met the People’s Expectations
Shaikh ul Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid continued: “In the first step, the people’s expectations were not met, and many of those who participated in the election are concerned about how, in these 45 years, with 300 ministers coming and going in various governments, neither Sunnis nor women have had a significant role, with only one woman becoming a minister. And now, only one woman has been introduced, whereas half of Iran’s population is women, and it was expected that we would have several female ministers.”
He pointed out: “The Sunnis, who are all from the indigenous ethnic groups of Iran and have sacrificed their lives in all the wars at the borders of the country, have supported national unity, but among more than 300 ministers, not one has been Sunni, despite there being many competent and trustworthy individuals among the Sunnis.”

Dr. Pezeshkian Has Asked the People for “Time”; He Should Address the Shortcomings
The People Expect Mr. Pezeshkian to Resign If He Cannot Fulfill His Promises
Mawlana Abdol Hamid said: “Mr. Pezeshkian has asked the Iranian nation for time, requesting that they give him a chance. Therefore, we hope that in the remaining time, Mr. Pezeshkian will be able to make up for it and fulfill the promises he made; this would benefit both the government and Dr. Pezeshkian himself.”
He added: “Dr. Pezeshkian must strive to implement changes, as the nation voted for change, and the Iranian people will not be satisfied with anything less than significant changes at a macro level and a shift in perspectives.”
The Friday prayer leader of Zahedan noted: “During the election period, Dr. Pezeshkian announced on national media that the promises he makes will be fulfilled within this government, and if he cannot fulfill his promises, he will resign. I have always had this grievance that in the Islamic Republic, there is no precedent for a president, minister, or official to resign due to failing to fulfill their duties. Recently, the Prime Minister of Japan resigned over a minor issue that he could not resolve. We should also establish a precedent in the history of the Islamic Republic, where if a president cannot fulfill or is not allowed to fulfill his duties, he resigns from his position.”

The Perspective Must Be “National”; Ethnic and Sectarian Views Create Problems
The Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan stated: “Not only have the cabinets never included Sunnis, but even the provincial governors throughout history have rarely been Sunni. Only during a brief period in the early years of the revolution was a Sunni appointed as the governor of Sistan and Baluchistan. The representation of Sunnis in both national and provincial leadership roles has been minimal.”
He emphasized: “Some claim that we are seeking a share, but this is not about demanding a share. Every group has the right to hold responsibility, and one of these groups is the Sunnis. This is discrimination, and it was not supposed to be this way. Whenever ethnic or sectarian perspectives dominate, problems arise. The perspective must be national.”

My Priorities Are “National”
Addressing the Issues of Nurses, Workers, and Other Groups Requires “Fundamental Thinking” and “Serious Planning”
Mawlana Abdol Hamid continued: “The priorities of my requests are national. We can never sleep peacefully knowing that nurses, who work so hard in hospitals, are facing difficulties. These individuals are protesting and are distressed because their salaries are not sufficient to cover their living expenses, or their overdue wages have not yet been paid, putting them under severe pressure. Workers, retirees, and teachers are also grappling with numerous problems.”
Mawlana Abdol Hamid added: “This situation requires fundamental thinking, with serious planning needed for all segments of society, not just one group. If someone is protesting, it does not mean that they are the only ones facing these challenges; rather, this is a widespread issue affecting all classes and professions. The problems of the Iranian people are the problems of all of us. We hope that special attention will be given to the people of Iran and that all these issues will be fully resolved.”

The Pakistani Government Should Address the Peaceful Protests of Eastern Baluchistan’s People
In another part of his speech, Mawlana Abdol Hamid addressed the government of Pakistan, saying: “Recently, public gatherings have been held in Gwadar and several cities in Eastern Baluchistan. My advice to the Pakistani government is to pay attention to these peaceful protests. These gatherings and demands are peaceful, and their grievances are undeniable.”
He emphasized: “When the people’s protests are conducted peacefully and without violence, I see this as an opportunity for Pakistan to respond to these peaceful demonstrations. Pakistani authorities should give special attention to the demands of the people and address their major concerns through negotiation, including the issue of the disappearance of many family members. These matters, along with other infrastructural issues that the people have highlighted, must be taken into consideration.”
The Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan remarked: “In today’s world, in democratic and free countries, peaceful marches are held daily; in such circumstances, no one is killed, no one is injured, no shops are burned, and no banks are set on fire. Officials also engage in dialogue with the protesters and resolve the issues; this also contributes to greater security.”

Unjust Murders Have Increased; Preventing These Murders Is Everyone’s Responsibility
In the final part of his Friday prayer sermon in Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol Hamid strongly criticized and expressed deep concern over the rise in unjust murders in society. He stated: “The increase in murders in society signifies a growing negligence towards Allah Almighty. The Holy Quran warns against unjust murders, declaring that whoever commits an unjust killing will face Hell, the wrath of God, and His curse. It makes no difference whether this unjust killing is carried out by a government or an individual.”
He continued to emphasize the necessity of preventing unjust murders, stating: “The prevention of unjust murders is not solely the responsibility of religious scholars, but it is the duty of everyone, including men, women, parents, elders, community leaders, and influential individuals. They should advise the young people, who are the hope of our future, warn them of the consequences of such actions, and work to prevent unjust murders.”
He added: “We must warn the youth that anyone who commits an unjust killing will face retribution. However, this retribution should be carried out by the judicial authorities. Moreover, the killing of the father, brother, child, or another close relative of the murderer is abhorrent and, in reality, results in two unjust murders, with both killers falling under the wrath and curse of the Almighty.”

Armed Forces Must Be Careful Not to Shoot Innocent People
The Friday prayer leader of Zahedan also highlighted the importance of caution among the armed forces, stating: “The armed forces must be vigilant and avoid shooting at people without cause. All people travel on the roads. The training provided to the armed forces should be so thorough that they do not shoot at innocent individuals or open fire on a person or vehicle merely because they are suspicious. There have been numerous instances where a vehicle was suspected, shots were fired, and individuals were killed, only for it to be discovered later that they were innocent. If they suspect a vehicle and identify a clear threat, they should only shoot at the tires of the vehicle.”
He added: “In such cases, it is not only the officer who fires the shot who is guilty, but those in leadership positions must also answer to Allah Almighty. It is not acceptable for an official to claim that they were not in agreement with the act. We must all feel a sense of responsibility regarding the occurrence of unjust murders and fulfill our duties accordingly.”