Nurses Provide Great Service to the Nation, yet Their Salaries Do Not Meet Their Basic Needs

Shaikh ul Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid, during today’s (August 23rd, 2024) Friday prayer sermon in Zahedan, highlighted the widespread protests among various sectors of Iranian society, particularly nurses, over the current economic and living conditions. He described the “responsibility of the government and authorities” in addressing the nation’s economic and political challenges as “extremely heavy.”
According to the official website of the Office of the Friday Prayer Leader of Sunni Muslims in Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol Hamid stated: “There are problems and distress in our country. Nurses, workers, retirees, teachers, and various other groups are protesting because life has become difficult for them. The general population is struggling, and their hearts bleed from the hardships they face in life. The fact that some people do not protest out of fear does not mean they are not suffering.”
He specifically addressed the challenges faced by nurses, saying: “Our dear nurses stand by the people in the most difficult circumstances. They find no peace in hospitals and endure hardships in serving patients. Nurses truly provide a great service to the country, and their contributions are immensely valuable. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when even people fled from mosques, Hajj ceremonies were suspended, and the doors of Masjid al-Haram and Masjid al-Nabawi were closed, doctors and nurses did not flee from hospitals; they remained by the side of patients and continued to serve.”
The Friday prayer leader of Zahedan continued: “Now, nurses are protesting about their salaries, which do not meet their basic needs, as inflation has reached such levels that no income can keep up with it. Nurses cannot live on a salary of ten or fifteen million tomans. In the past, nurses lived on two or three million tomans, when three million tomans equaled three thousand dollars. But now, sixty million tomans equals one thousand dollars, and twelve million tomans equals two hundred dollars—who can live on two hundred dollars?! Many nurses are also protesting because they have delayed salaries and their wages are not paid on time; this is another great calamity.”

Today, Iran ought to be Competing with European Countries
Mawlana Abdol Hamid added: “The value of the national currency has plummeted, life has become difficult for the people, and some lives are on the verge of collapse. Workers are crying out as well. Why did these workers not cry out in the past? There was no talk of suicide before. We had never heard of nurses and doctors committing suicide in the past, but today they are.”
He continued: “We hear that some teachers, because their salaries do not cover their living expenses, are turning to jobs like street sweeping. How can the Ministry of Education and universities, with this situation and the current morale of teachers, educate the country’s children and compete with neighboring nations and major countries of the world?! Iran is a country that should be competing with European countries today because it has a rich culture and ancient civilization.”

Officials and Members of Parliament Should Visit Prisons and Speak with Political Prisoners
Mawlana Abdol Hamid further stated: “There are many political prisoners who have not committed any crimes or wrongdoings but have simply spoken out and criticized the state of the country. These individuals need to be spoken with. State officials, the President, and members of Parliament should visit political prisoners in jails and engage in dialogue with them.”
He added: “Authorities should inspect prisons and detention centers; the complaints of the prisoners need to be heard so that no one’s rights are violated in these places, no one is unjustly slapped, and no one is insulted. This is the essence of Islam and justice, and without justice, there is no benefit.”

We Cannot Uphold ‘Truth’ with ‘Oppression’
There Is No Need to Use ‘Falsehood’ and ‘Superstition’ to Promote ‘Religion’
The Friday prayer leader of Zahedan emphasized: “We cannot uphold ‘truth’ with ‘oppression’; truth is upheld with truth. Religion and faith are preserved through justice, fairness, honesty, and sincerity. In people’s lives, religion is a matter of choice, and if someone does not wish to choose a particular faith, we cannot force them. Allah Almighty has given them free will.”
He noted: “To promote religion, there is no need to resort to falsehood, superstition, or other such means. We can present religion to people through encouragement, persuasion, logic, reason, and respect.”

The Responsibility of the Government and the State is Extremely Heavy in the Current Situation
The Friday prayer leader of Zahedan emphasized: “Today, the Iranian nation is going through its toughest times, and the responsibility of Dr. Pezeshkian’s government, as well as the entire state and its officials, is extremely heavy in this regard. Serious measures must be taken to address these problems.”
He added: “As long as domestic policies do not change and as long as justice, which is the greatest demand of the Iranian nation, is not implemented, and freedom of expression, press freedom, and political freedoms and activities are not ensured, solving these problems will not be possible.”

To Improve the Country’s Economy, We Must Establish Relations with Developed and Capitalist Countries
Mawlana Abdol Hamid continued: “Mr. Pezeshkian’s government, whose cabinet has been approved and has started its work, must pay attention to foreign policies in addition to domestic ones. To improve the country’s economy, we must establish relations not only with countries facing economic difficulties but also with developed and capitalist nations. Our relations with the entire world should be cordial and based on mutual respect.”
He added: “Domestic and foreign policies are deeply interconnected and have a significant impact on the economy. Until these policies are adjusted and moderated, even if we gather the world’s greatest managers and economists, they will not be able to organize the country’s economy.”

Governments Do Not Have the Right to Interfere in Every Aspect of People’s Lives
Mr. Pezeshkian Must Control the Performance of All Government Agencies
The Friday prayer leader of Zahedan continued: “Another heavy responsibility for Dr. Pezeshkian is to control the performance of all government agencies and bodies. Many agencies operate autonomously, attacking prayer rooms and preventing people from praying or disturbing their businesses. Many see themselves as representatives of the country’s highest authority and do whatever they want without adhering to any law or respect.”
He stressed: “Interfering in people’s personal and private lives is forbidden and against the law. Why is the law not being enforced?! In no country is anyone allowed to enter people’s dormitories and private spaces. The law only grants authorities the power to prevent insecurity in the country. These tasks should be carried out by wise and understanding individuals, and their performance should be supervised. Today, there are many complaints that people’s bank accounts are being scrutinized, and those who criticize are being put under pressure, with attempts to cut off all services to them. Governments have their own laws and paths. They do not have the right to interfere in every aspect of people’s lives.”

Why Aren’t Officers Who Recklessly Shoot at Innocent People Stopped?
The Friday prayer leader of Zahedan further criticized the reckless shooting by officers at innocent people, saying: “We sometimes hear that somewhere a woman was shot and killed, or a girl or many young people were shot and injured; why aren’t these officers who recklessly shoot at people stopped?!”

Dr. Pezeshkian Faces a Difficult Path Ahead
Mawlana Abdol Hamid concluded: “In our opinion, Dr. Pezeshkian has a hard and challenging road ahead of him, and traversing this path and solving these problems without proper policies, honesty, self-sacrifice, being people-oriented, and having the support of the people and the pillars of the system is impossible.”
He added: “We hope that Mr. Pezeshkian, who has embarked on this difficult path under these conditions and has gained the trust of the people, can resolve the economic and political problems of the people and eliminate the unjust interference and harassment being inflicted upon them.”

Let’s Pray for the Earthquake Victims in Nikshahr County
The Friday prayer leader of Zahedan concluded his speech by referring to the recent earthquake in Nikshahr County, saying: “For about twenty days now, earthquakes have been occurring in the ‘Abgah’ and ‘Bent’ areas of Nikshahr County, and these quakes are happening daily. These earthquakes, for which no expert has yet provided any reason, are warnings, and we need to seek forgiveness and pray that Allah Almighty removes this calamity from the beloved people of this region.”