The Office of the Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan issued a statement in response to the recent insult by a reciter towards “Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid” and the “Makki Grand Mosque of Zahedan.” While thanking the “various groups of the Iranian people for their reactions aimed at defending and preserving harmony and solidarity,” the statement, referring to the “reciter’s admission of his mistake,” announced that Mawlana Abdol Hamid has “forgiven and overlooked” his rights regarding this matter.
According to the information portal of the Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan, the text of the statement reads as follows:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful
Recently, a video clip of a reciter was circulated online, which hurt the feelings of the esteemed people of Iran, particularly the Sunni community.
First, we find it necessary to sincerely thank various groups of people, including scholars, some officials, members of parliament, political, civil, and media activists, as well as the noble people of Iran who reacted in defense of harmony and solidarity.
However, considering that this reciter has been detained and reprimanded by judicial and intelligence authorities and has confessed to his mistake, the honorable people of Iran are hereby informed that Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid, while expressing gratitude to the judicial and intelligence authorities, has overlooked and forgiven all his rights related to this matter and case, stating: “For me, ‘reformation’ is important, not ‘revenge.'”
In conclusion, we would like to draw public attention to the following points:
- According to the Holy Verse “Indeed, the mosques belong to Allah”; mosques do not belong to any specific sect, faction, or individual but are exclusively for Almighty Allah. Makki Grand Mosque in Zahedan is among such mosques that belong to “Allah.”
- The Ahlul-Bayt, particularly Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with them) and their children, are revered figures among Sunnis. Love and adherence to their way of life are central to Sunni beliefs.
- We, the people of Iran — regardless of ethnicity, sect, orientation, or belief — are members of one family, caring for one another and praying for each other’s well-being. Insults, accusations, and discord have no place within the Iranian family.
Office of the Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan
January 2025