The Best Way to Prevent War Is to Yield to the Demands of the Iranian Nation

Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid, on 10 Bahman 1404 (January 30th, 2026), during the Friday prayer ceremony in Zahedan, described the “risk of war” as the most serious threat and “widespread public dissatisfaction” as the country’s greatest existing challenge. He stated that yielding to the demands of the people is the best way to prevent war and to overcome the current crises.

Public Dissatisfaction in Iran Is a Reality
According to the information outlet of the Office of the Sunni Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdolhamid stated: Nearly fifty years ago, after the victory of the 1979 Revolution in Iran, the overwhelming majority of the people voted for the “Islamic Republic” as their system of governance, hoping for prosperity and well-being in this world and the Hereafter for themselves and future generations.
He added: The people of Iran supported the 1979 Revolution, and after its victory they sacrificed their lives to defend the country’s borders, security, and stability. They responded positively to officials’ calls and participated actively and enthusiastically in various arenas. However, it is a reality—and not an exaggeration—that for some time now, the Iranian nation has been dissatisfied and suffering.

The People of Iran Have Been Struggling With Sanctions for Twenty Years
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan emphasized: One of the people’s grievances is that for twenty years they have been grappling with the hardships caused by sanctions. At that time, officials told the people that they would reach the peaks of victory and progress, but today the people are anxious and distressed due to severe poverty and misery.
He noted: Throughout these years, I have fulfilled my duty by repeatedly calling out: listen to the people, engage in dialogue with them, and pay attention to their demands. If the people’s demands are unjust, convince them; if they are rightful, address them. Unfortunately, the people’s demands were ignored. The people protested several times, faced hardship and death, and lost lives. But in the recent uprising—known to all in Iran and around the world—the people suffered extremely heavy casualties.

If the Majority of Iranians Want a Different System, Officials Must Accept It
Mawlana Abdolhamid stressed in addressing the country’s officials: Once again, I emphasize that you should sit alongside the people and see what their demands and aspirations are. If I were in your place, I would sit with the people and fulfill whatever demands they had.
He stated: If the administration of the country were in my hands, and the majority of the people—not a minority— declared that they wanted a system other than the Islamic system, I would not insist on maintaining the Islamic system. This is because I firmly believe—without any ulterior motive—that religion is of no benefit when imposed by force, and no one can be driven to paradise through coercion. The Holy Qur’an states:
“There is no compulsion in religion; the right path has become distinct from error.”
God’s intent is that truth be clearly distinguished from falsehood; after that, whoever chooses whichever path, its benefit or harm will return to themselves.

The “Islamic Republic” Derives Its Legitimacy From the People—Ask Them Today What They Want
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan added: The Islamic Republic derived its legitimacy from the overwhelming majority vote of the Iranian people. Today as well, ask the Iranian nation—who voted for the Islamic Republic nearly half a century ago—what it wants.
He continued: The people are the benefactors of you officials, and your legitimacy and that of the system stem from the people’s vote. All officials in the Islamic Republic have come to power directly or indirectly through the people’s vote. Even the leadership has come to power indirectly through the people’s vote. Therefore, the people are the foundation and true owners of the country, and one must not stand against them or resort to violence against them.

If You Yield to the People’s Demands, No Power Can March Against You / In the Eight-Year Defense, the “Power of the People” Led to Success
Mawlana Abdolhamid noted: Under the current circumstances—when Iran is seriously threatened by war and widespread division and public dissatisfaction have emerged among the people—the best way to prevent war is to yield to the demands of the Iranian nation and to come to terms with the people.
He emphasized: If you (the officials) yield to the demands of the Iranian people, neither the people, nor the countries of the world, nor any power will be able to wage war against you, and you will have prevented war. But if you do not have the Iranian people by your side, this will be extremely dangerous; war itself is dangerous.
He stated: If the ruling establishment and the government achieved any success during the eight-year defense in the early years after the revolution, that success was not due solely to the power of the state and the government, but because the power of the people stood alongside them. The power of the government is limited, but the power of the people is God-given.

Most of Those Who Were Killed Were Not “Rioters”
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan went on to say: One official made a good statement when he said that not all people should be labeled as “rioters.” Usually, in demonstrations in all countries, there are some inexperienced and emotional young people who engage in disorder. However, the vast majority of these people were protesters and were not rioters, yet they were all killed, and a very great tragedy occurred.
Mawlana Abdolhamid stressed: If there is still any opportunity left, the wisest course for the ruling establishment is to listen to the people and yield to their demands, so that the overwhelming majority of the Iranian nation can determine the future path of the country through their vote.

“The Pleasure of God” and “The Interests of the People” Matter to Me
Mawlana Abdolhamid described “the pleasure of God” and “the interests of the people” as the main objectives of his remarks and said: Two things are important to me: first, the pleasure of God, and second, the interests of the people. If I were to give my life in pursuit of these two goals, I would be happy. I am not seeking personal gain or position and status. I am a well-wisher, and the words of a well-wisher—whoever they may be—should be listened to.

The Unjust Killing of One Human Being Is Like Killing All of Humanity
In the opening part of his remarks at the Zahedan Friday prayer ceremony, Mawlana Abdolhamid also referred to the status and sanctity of human life in the sight of God and said: God Almighty has made the human being the noblest of all creatures, and all the blessings and capacities placed within human existence, as well as in the earth and the heavens, have been created to benefit humankind.
He added: In the sight of God Almighty, human life is so valuable that the unjust shedding of the blood of one person is regarded as the shedding of the blood of all humanity. On the one hand, God has sent prophets and heavenly scriptures to guide human beings and ensure their prosperity in this world and the Hereafter; on the other hand, He has also provided planning and resources for their worldly life.

When People Are Hungry and Feel Insecure, a Ruler Should Not Sleep Comfortably / God Loves Governments That Show Compassion Toward Their Nations and Address Their Demands
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan continued: It is part of the divine order that systems of governance exist among human beings, so that people may choose governments that truly represent their nations and stand at the helm on behalf of the people, in order to protect their interests, security, and well-being, and to plan and strive for education, the economy, healthcare, public health, and other needs of the people.
He noted: Government is a blessing only when it values the lives of the people. When people are hungry or feel insecure, a ruler should not sleep comfortably or feel at ease. If the people are suffering, the ruler must also suffer, remain awake with them, and endure hunger alongside them.
Mawlana Abdolhamid added: God Almighty loves human beings—especially rulers and governments—for whom humanity matters, and who show compassion toward all people regardless of religion or belief. God approves of governments that show mercy and care toward their nations, that step down from their seats of power, sit alongside the people, and address their demands. God loves governments that engage in dialogue and negotiation with the people and that pay attention to them.

Hostage-Taking and Extortion Are the Worst Crimes / Confronting Hostage-Taking Is the Duty of the State and Government
In the closing part of his remarks, Mawlana Abdolhamid strongly condemned hostage-taking and extortion, stating: Hostage-taking is one of the worst and most disgraceful acts. Those who take people hostage for extortion are among the worst of human beings, and the worst kind of wealth is that which is obtained through such means. It is better for a person and their children to die of hunger than to earn a living through extortion, robbery, or theft.
He emphasized: It is the duty of the ruling establishment and the government to pursue the issue of hostage-taking and to confront and combat it decisively.