Shaikh ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid addressed the security and social challenges in the province of Sistan and Baluchistan during today’s (October 4, 2024) Friday sermon in Zahedan, emphasizing the need to “prevent and avoid violence” and “establish peace in society.” He urged the authorities to address the injustices and incidents inflicted upon the people, stating, “Pressure on people must be reduced because the province needs tranquility.”
According to the information office of the Sunni Friday prayer leader in Zahedan, Shaikh ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid also touched on key issues related to “economic and industrial policies.” He stressed that “correct results” will only be achieved when “the policies are right.” In his view, the new government must review and revise the flawed past policies in various sectors, including industry, agriculture, trade, and mining.
The Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan further mentioned the province’s drought and water shortages, which have severely impacted agriculture in the region. Mawlana Abdol Hamid highlighted other potentials of the province, such as its borders, sea, and mines, as resources for development. He criticized the exploitation of the province’s major mines, which are mainly registered and operated by influential companies based in Tehran, without contributing to the development of the province’s infrastructure. He also pointed out that the environmental damage from these mines remains in the province, while the economic benefits leave the region.
He emphasized the need to change policies and perspectives on the mines, viewing them as a local resource for the province’s economic and social development.


“Corruption” and “neglect of people’s rights” in mining operations
Shaikh ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid raised the issue of “corruption in mining operations” and the “disregard for people’s rights,” saying that the province’s billion-dollar resources are being transferred outside the region, providing no benefit to the local population who are struggling with poverty and educational challenges.
He stated, “Strong hands and influential individuals are behind the exploitation of Sistan and Baluchistan’s mines, and these people not only harm the natural resources and environment but also trample on the rights of the people. The law is only enforced against the weak, and no institution has the power to confront these individuals, which is a great injustice.”


The extraction of the Taftan mine has caused great concern for the locals; who benefits from these mines?
Mawlana Abdol Hamid then referred to the Taftan mine, which has recently become a significant concern for the local population. He said, “Taftan is the jewel and the pride of the province, with abundant natural resources such as the best orchards, livestock, and water reserves. However, large companies have set up heavy equipment and are blasting the mountains, causing damage not only to the water resources but also to the local ecosystem, plants, and animals. The dust from the explosions has led to the death of animals that relied on the local vegetation, raising serious environmental concerns.”
He also discussed the economic and agricultural issues of the Taftan region, reminding that in the past, thousands of tons of agricultural products from this region were exported domestically and abroad, but now, due to the destruction of natural resources and agriculture, there is no product left for export.
The Friday prayer leader of Zahedan criticized the lack of results from the complaints and follow-ups of the people and elders of the region to the authorities in Tehran regarding the Taftan mine issue. He added, “Some respected and trusted individuals have become so disheartened by the situation that they have threatened self-immolation, but we have prevented them from taking such action.”
He continued, “The people living in this region have their ancestors buried in this land, and now they are facing the threat of displacement. Who is benefiting from these mines? Are these profits being spent on the region’s infrastructure? Should the Taftan region and its people be sacrificed for the interests of large capitalists?”


Hiring a Few Local Workers Cannot Compensate for the Massive Capital Flight from the Province
Mawlana Abdol Hamid pointed to the limited use of local labor by companies, stating: “Hiring a few hundred or even a thousand workers cannot compensate for the immense capital leaving the province, nor for the damage caused by the destruction of thousands of gardens, springs, and tourist areas.” He described this as insufficient for the tens of thousands of families living in the region and stressed the need to respect the rights of local residents and prevent further destruction of natural resources.


Stop Operations at the Taftan Mine
Shaikh ul Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid harshly criticized the environmental degradation and excessive exploitation of the mines in Sistan and Baluchistan. He referred to global efforts to protect natural resources and said: “How is it that in this province, the environment is so easily destroyed, and the mines are ravaged?! These individuals exploit gold and jewels at the cost of destroying the environment and displacing local people, while they take the valuable resources out of the province. We call on President Pezeshkian’s government to stop these destructive activities.”
He added: “I received a message from some individuals stating that officials would come to meet with me to discuss the Taftan issue. I replied that I am not an expert and would invite the region’s elders and specialists to ensure their opinions are heard. However, these people did not keep their word, and they never came. This behavior shows a lack of reason and logic behind these actions.”


We Assure the People of Taftan that the Province Will Stand with You
Mawlana Abdol Hamid reassured the people of Taftan, stating: “We assure you that the people of this province will not abandon you. Neither the people nor the government will allow you to be displaced or for your livestock and livelihoods to be destroyed.”
He emphasized that if the people of the region knew that the province’s resources and infrastructure—which lack oil and gas—were being used properly and for the benefit of the entire Iranian nation or the province’s people, they would accept it and be willing to make sacrifices. However, the inequality and the fact that these resources benefit only a select few are unacceptable.
He further stated: “The religion of Islam, based on the principle of ‘La Darar wa la Dirar fi al-Islam’ (there should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm in Islam), does not allow ancestral resources and assets to be destroyed at the cost of harming people and their environment.”


Now is the Best Time for a ‘Ceasefire’ and a ‘Just Resolution to the Palestinian Issue’
Shaikh ul Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid, in another part of his Friday sermon in Zahedan, addressed the current situation in the region, emphasizing the need for a “ceasefire” and a “just resolution to the Palestinian issue.” He remarked: “Now is a suitable time for dialogue aimed at establishing an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
He warned: “If both sides go beyond this stage and launch new attacks, there is a risk of a full-scale war, which could have widespread consequences across the region. The wise course of action is to end the conflict here, stop the bombings, and cease attacks.”
He stressed that both the warring parties and the international community should exert pressure to accept a ceasefire, which should lead to the release of prisoners on both sides and a fair agreement.


No One Except Extremists Wants this War to Continue
Mawlana Abdol Hamid pointed to the damage and casualties of war, stating: “Women, children, and other unarmed individuals have lost their lives in these conflicts. In Gaza alone, more than forty thousand defenseless Muslims, mostly women and children, have been killed. According to our religious beliefs, no unarmed individual—whether Muslim or Jewish—should be harmed in war. Just as attacking defenseless Muslims in Gaza and Lebanon is unjustified, attacking defenseless Jews who oppose the war is equally unacceptable.”
He highlighted the presence of extremists among both Muslims and Jews, saying: “There are extremists and radicals among both Muslims and Jews, but extremism is more intense among Jews because they have stronger weapons and receive global support. Aside from extremists, no one else supports this war.”


The Zionist Regime Exploits the Slogan of Destroying Israel in Global Forums
Mawlana Abdol Hamid described the continuation of extremism as “dangerous” for the region’s security, stating: “Neither side should chant slogans calling for the destruction of the other. Especially, Israelis should not call for the destruction of Palestine, and Palestinians should not demand the elimination of Jews from the land. These slogans are unjust, and the only fair solution can be achieved through peace and the return of Palestinian lands to their rightful owners.”
He further elaborated on this issue, highlighting that: “The Zionist regime exploits the slogan of eliminating Israel to its own advantage in global forums. Therefore, the best course of action is to emphasize a just resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”


Mr. Pezeshkian Should Prioritize Sistan and Baluchistan
The Province Needs Fundamental Changes and Reforms

In the final part of his Friday sermon in Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol Hamid stressed the need for “special attention from the Fourteenth Government to Sistan and Baluchistan,” saying: “We request that Mr. Pezeshkian prioritize this province due to its complexities and challenges.”
He added: “Sistan and Baluchistan requires deep thought and fundamental changes.”


If the Administration Cannot Win the Hearts of the People, It Has Failed in its Policy
Mawlana Abdol Hamid emphasized: “The right policies can bring security to the province. It is not only military personnel that are needed, but also political figures who can, through wisdom and strategy, win the hearts of the people. If the government cannot win over the broken hearts of the nation, it has not followed the correct policy.”
He stressed the importance of addressing the injustices and events that have affected the people of the province and called on security officials to prevent the killing and harm of civilians on the roads.


Violence, Regardless of the Source, is Wrong; Everyone Must Work to Preserve Security and Peace
He emphasized: “Violence, from any side, is wrong—whether it comes from security, law enforcement, or military forces, or from the people themselves. Violence begets more violence. Pressure on the people must be reduced because the province needs peace.”
The Imam of Zahedan continued: “Everyone must cooperate to maintain security and peace. Killing and executions should not happen. Aside from cases where qisas (retribution) is required, other forms of execution are acts of violence, and unfortunately, there is no one to listen to these concerns.”
In closing, Mawlana Abdol Hamid said: “All issues should be pursued through the proper channels in order to help improve the security and social situation of the province.”

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Published on : 6 October, 2024


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