The Supreme Leader Asked to Solve Sunnis’ Problems Personally

Criticizing some authorities and Shiite clerics for interfering in Sunnis’ religious affairs, the most influential Iranian Sunni leader called on the Iranian Supreme Leader to pursue personally the problems of the Sunni community of Iran and meet their demands.

Addressing the Friday worshippers of Zahedan, capital of Sistan-Baluchestan, Iran, on February 25, 2022, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid defended the rights of Sunnis of Iran and said: “Iran is an Islamic country that has a historical civilization and culture. Developed nations that have Islamic history and culture must have a high capacity, because Islam enhances capacities and tolerances”.

The Friday prayer leader of Sunnis in Zahedan continued: “As Sunnis, we expect our officials to be more tolerant and guarantee our religious freedom. Religious freedom is one of the most basic human rights. The Islamic Republic of Iran has signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In our country, all Islamic sects have freedom according to the constitution”.

“According to the constitution, no one is allowed to interfere in the religious affairs of others. We are free in religious affairs; we can decide on the religious education of our children”, said Mawlana Abdol-Hamid.

“In appointing and removing the Imams of mosques and Friday prayer leaders, we are free and have absolute authority; the government is not allowed to interfere”, president of Darululoom Zahedan urged.

“Unfortunately, many interfere in the religious affairs of the Sunnis, contrary to the national and international pacts. Authorities interfere in the affairs of mosques and religious centers of the Sunni community. Mosques are the places of worship where people pray and worship Allah. According to the constitution, we are free to build mosques as needed”, said the most prominent Iranian Sunni scholar.

He alluded to the obstacles on building mosques in villages and said: “Unfortunately, the authorities impose restrictions on the construction of mosques in villages, while any construction of houses in the villages does not require a permit, so how do they impose restrictions on mosques? Interfering in these matters is a clear violation of the rights of the Sunnis”.

The Imam of the Grand Makki Mosque of Zahedan went on to say: “In many Sunni-majority areas, some officials, state-run institutions and Shiite clerics interfere in Sunni religious affairs. Such interventions have hit Sunnis”.

“As far as we know, we believe that the Supreme Leader does not agree with such actions and if he was informed, he would definitely prevent from such violations”, said the prominent Sunni leader of Iran.

He added: “Unfortunately, affairs of the Sunni community of Iran are not fully reported to the Supreme Leader. We call on the Supreme Leader to refrain the officials from such illegal actions. This is the legal demand of the Sunnis. The implementation of the constitution is the demand of the Sunni community”.

The Friday Khateeb of Zahedan said: “The Sunnis of Iran want to determine their own destiny. The government and state offices can only watch our religious issues and give consultations but not to interfere”.

Emphasizing the need to use capable people of Sunnis in official positions, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said: “Sunnis belong to this country. They endure the pain of sanctions as others and fight alongside all Iranians in defense of the country. We want meritocracy. We should be engaged in high ranking jobs in the national levels”.

He pointed out: “The Sunnis have always defended the territorial integrity of the country and were killed in various arenas. Sunnis seek fraternity and unity and love their homeland. Ignoring their rights strikes the unity”.

“As a benefactor, I hope the authorities will listen to my criticism. We expect the Supreme Leader to personally address the demands of the Sunni community and solve their problems, because they are Iranians and have equal rights”, said the prominent Sunni scholar of Iran.

Russia must stop invading Ukraine and stop killing and destroying
Referring to the Russia-Ukraine war, the most prominent Iranian Sunni leader called the attack as one of the shocking events of the previous week.

He noted: “Ukraine is an independent country bordering Russia. Why do not nations and countries solve their problems through negotiations?! Powerful countries should not attack minorities and smaller countries, but all should solve their problems through negotiations.”

“We call on Russia to stop its invasion of Ukraine, to stop killing people and destroying homes, and to resolve problems through dialogue”, said the president of Darululoom Zahedan.

He stressed: “War, killing and attacking countries in the present era has no public support. Any government and country that takes such an action will be rebuked and denounced and it will be isolated and harmed.”

India’s political leaders put pressure on Indian gov. to respect the rights of Muslims
Referring to the worrying situation of Muslims in India, the eminent Sunni scholar of Iran noted: “In the past, in India, all religions and sects, Islamic and non-Islamic, enjoyed complete freedom. The Muslims of India fought against British colonialism alongside the Hindus and liberated India from British occupation. Unfortunately, the current government of India, which is an extremist government, is committing oppression against the Muslims of this country”.

“I recommend that India’s political leaders put pressure on India to respect the rights of Muslims; otherwise such actions hit the brilliant history of India”, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid underlined.

At the end of his Friday speech, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid advised the Muslims of India to observe the principle of peace, tolerance, precaution and peaceful co-existing of Islam.