Providing “Free Education and Healthcare” is the Responsibility of Governments

Shaikh ul Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid, in today’s Friday prayer ceremony (September 13, 2024) in Zahedan, emphasized the challenges people, especially low-income groups, face in covering the costs of “education and healthcare.” He identified making these two sectors free as one of the most important responsibilities of all governments.
According to the official website of the Sunni Friday Prayer Office in Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol Hamid stated: “Educational justice must exist throughout the world, and everyone should be given equal attention. One of the duties of governments and global systems is to provide free education so that the children of every country can receive equal opportunities. If education is not free, wealthy people can afford to educate their children, but those who lack resources will see their children deprived of education.”

The Most Capable Individuals must be employed in Schools and Universities
Mawlana Abdol Hamid added: “Another responsibility of governments is to employ the best and most capable individuals in schools and universities, and to invest in them so they can help nurture the youth of the nation.”
He emphasized: “Teachers and university professors must be given the highest salaries so they can teach with enthusiasm. Knowledge and education are the foundation of development and progress, and we must invest in it.”

Many Families Cannot Afford Their Children’s Educational Expenses
Governments Must Reduce Educational Costs
The Friday Imam of Zahedan also stressed the need to “reduce educational costs” and said: “Today in our country, the cost of education has skyrocketed. Governments must bring down these costs. Proper policies should be implemented in the government and the Ministry of Education to lift these heavy financial burdens from the shoulders of the people.”
He added: “Many families cannot afford tuition or the list of requirements such as uniforms provided by schools, and due to this inability, their children are deprived of education. Many families struggle to cover the costs of their children’s university education, and some cannot even afford school transportation for their daughters. As a result, children from one segment of society are deprived of education because of these high costs.”
He also mentioned: “Mr. Dr. Pezeshkian made some good points regarding education. The demand of the Iranian people, especially the weaker segments of society, is for educational costs to be reduced. Policies and planning should be in place so that people can afford the cost of education.”

Seminaries and Mosques Should be run by Public Donations
The Friday Imam of Zahedan continued: “Regarding religious education, Muslims must send their talented children to religious schools, and the people should cover the expenses of these schools and the scholars teaching religious sciences, so that the worries of the teachers are alleviated.”
He highlighted: “Here I find it necessary to emphasize that we believe the government should not fund religious schools. Rather, seminaries and mosques should be run through public donations so they are not dependent on any government. Experience has shown that the best and most moderate approach is to preserve the independence of scholars and seminaries, enabling them to offer constructive criticism to guide governments.”

Healthcare Costs in the Country Are Too Expensive
Mawlana Abdol Hamid also stressed the need for “free healthcare” and said: “All governmental systems worldwide are obligated to provide free healthcare to the public. Currently, in our country, healthcare costs are extremely high. The government must cooperate with everyone, especially low-income groups, so they can enjoy the blessings of health and hygiene.”
He added: “There are many deficiencies in the healthcare sector, with numerous medicines being scarce or unavailable. ‘Health’ is as essential as ‘security,’ and it must receive serious attention.”

“Justice” is a Necessity for Every Society and One of the Pillars of Religions and Civilizations
The Implementation of Justice Brings Peace to Society
In another part of his Friday prayer speech in Zahedan, the Friday Imam, Mawlana Abdol Hamid, highlighted the importance of “the implementation of justice and fairness,” stating: “The execution of justice is so vital and important that no matter how much we talk about it, it will still be insufficient. Justice is a need for every society and one of the essential pillars of religions, cultures, and civilizations. The responsibility for justice is not limited to governments and states; it is upon all people around the world. Each of us is obligated to practice justice within our own sphere of influence.”
He added: “We must practice justice in our families between sons and daughters, and between spouses. Justice makes life more pleasant. When parents treat their children equally and justly, the family feels at peace. When the director of an office, school, university, or seminary treats everyone equally and does not show favoritism to employees or associates, and does not prefer his children or close ones over others, peace will prevail in that office, university, or seminary. The problems of an influential individual’s child, whether the son of an Ayatollah, Marja’, Mawlana, Mufti, President, or other official, should not take priority over the issues of a poor or rural family’s child; this is against fairness.”
Mawlana Abdol Hamid further explained: “In a government or system, peace, unity, brotherhood, and security are established when justice is achieved. In any system, whether Islamic or democratic, when everyone is treated equally and the rights of different ethnicities, sects, and even religions are respected, and when citizens’ rights are upheld equally for supporters, critics, and dissenters, people will find peace and comfort in that system.”
He added: “If a system is labeled a ‘democracy’ but fails to uphold justice and rights, it is meaningless. Similarly, if a system is called ‘Islamic,’ yet does not apply equal treatment or implement justice, people will not experience peace anywhere in the world.”

Unity and Brotherhood are achieved through “Justice” and “Respecting Rights”
The Friday Imam of Zahedan also emphasized: “Brotherhood and unity are not achieved through slogans, but through the implementation of justice, equal treatment, the fair application of laws, and the respect of rights. Justice and fairness are crucial. If there is no justice and fairness in a person’s life, Allah Almighty will not accept their prayers, pilgrimage, or other obligations. We must all be fair, and practice justice and fairness in our relationships with both friends and foes.”
He added: “All officials, from the highest to the lowest levels, must behave fairly and consider justice and fairness between qualified men and women, ethnicities, sects, and ideologies. It is better for officials to sacrifice their personal interests than to undermine justice and fairness.”
Mawlana Abdol Hamid continued: “The Holy Qur’an, in the verse ‘And let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just’ (Surah Al-Ma’idah: 8), advises us to practice justice even with those we oppose or have enmity towards. Hatred or hostility towards a person or group should not cause us to disregard justice and fairness. If we follow the commands of the Qur’an and the practices of the Prophet (PBUH) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs in all matters, the satisfaction of the people will be achieved.”

The Administration of Mr. Pezeshkian Must Take Serious Steps in the Field of Justice and Fairness
The Friday Imam of Zahedan stressed: “We hope that the government of Mr. Pezeshkian will take serious steps in the field of justice and fairness. All other methods, apart from justice, have proven ineffective. Pressure, force, weapons, prisons, and killings do not solve any problems; in fact, they only increase dissatisfaction. Justice and sound, inclusive policies that encompass the rights of all people are what can make a difference.”

Dear People, Pay Attention to “Education,” “Religion,” and “A Healthy Economy”
In the final part of his speech, Mawlana Abdol Hamid offered advice to the general public, saying: “My advice to you is, first and foremost, to prioritize ‘education.’ Pursue both religious and academic knowledge. Secondly, focus on ‘the essence of religion.’ If faith, piety, and love for religion become present in your lives, and people become more religious and devout, they will find ease in life. We must always have God in mind and remain devoted to Him and the commands of the Shari’ah.”
He added: “The third point I emphasize is ‘a healthy economy.’ In this regard, both the government and the ruling authorities should work towards increasing the liquidity of the country by planning and changing past policies. Additionally, you, dear people, should seek honest work and lawful earnings. Theft, bribery, usury, and other such practices lead society towards ruin and destruction, and we must avoid these issues rigorously.”