We do not Accept Slogans of Unity; Unity must be Practical

Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid, speaking at the Friday prayer gathering in Zahedan on 28 August 2026, strongly criticized the open insults against the sacred symbols of Sunni Muslims, and stated that the authorities must stop the extremists who publicly insult the sacred beliefs of different religious schools.
On this occasion, the Friday Imam of Zahedan also expressed deep concern over the sharp rise in inflation and the hardship faced by all social classes in meeting their families’ basic needs. He declared that addressing the people’s affairs is the government’s highest priority and told the country’s officials: Do not pay attention to the views of the extremists who have pushed the country to the brink of ruin and made the nation miserable. Considering the situation of the country and the people, pursue agreement and reconciliation.

All Muslims must respect the Companions and the Ahl al-Bayt. The authorities must stop the extremists who publicly insult the sacred beliefs of the different schools of thought
According to a report by SunniOnline, after recounting some of the virtues of the Companions of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), particularly the second Caliph, Omar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), Mawlana Abdol-Hamid advised all Muslims to respect both the Companions and the Ahl al-Bayt. He said: The Companions and the Ahl al-Bayt are among the sacred symbols of Muslims. All Muslims must respect the Companions. Even if they do not revere all of them, they should at least refrain from insulting them.
He further stated: We demand that the country’s authorities stop the extremists who insult the Companions on various occasions. Officials must not allow anyone to publicly insult the Companions and the sacred beliefs of the majority of Muslims.
The Friday Imam of Zahedan added: Insult is not permissible in any religion or faith. We do not even consider it permissible to insult the sacred beliefs of non-Muslims and other nations. If someone has a claim, it should be within the bounds of reasoning and logic, not through insult and humiliation.

The extremists have ruined the country and made the nation miserable
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid pointed out that the extremists who today insult the sacred beliefs of Muslim schools of thought are the same radicals who, when they entered politics, harmed the country and destroyed everything. A large part of the Iranian nation’s hardships stems from these same extremists.

Under the former Soviet communist regime, Muslims had no religious freedom; now the Russian government has concluded that religions must enjoy freedom
Referring to the “Unity Week” that has existed in the country since the early days of the Revolution, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid said: Unity is a very good thing and everyone welcomes it. We support unity, but we do not accept mere slogans of unity. We believe unity must be practical.
Mentioning religious freedoms in Russia and its Muslim republics, he said: A few years ago, a conference of scholars and thinkers of the Islamic world was held in Moscow, which I also attended. A delegation from the Russian government came. They said that during the former Soviet communist era there was severe repression against religions, but now the Russian government has reached the conclusion that religions must be given freedom. Today in Russia, religious affairs are not in the hands of the government; rather, a Mufti from among the Muslims themselves, who is also a religious official, manages the endowments (Awqaf) and other religious matters of the Muslims. Muslims in other Russian republics also enjoy freedom.

The long-standing demand of the Sunni community has been to have a mosque in Tehran
The prominent religious scholar referred to the construction of one of Europe’s largest mosques in Moscow and said: In Moscow, the capital of Russia, a very large multi-storey mosque has been built near the Kremlin Palace. Two hundred million dollars were spent on its construction, and tourists from around the world visit it.
He added: The long-standing demand of the entire Sunni community in the country has been to have a mosque in Tehran so that the at least two to three million Sunnis living in this metropolis can pray there.
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid stated: We believe that building a mosque anywhere in the country should be free. We believe that our Shia brothers should also be able to build mosques for themselves in villages and areas where they are in the minority. In this province there are large villages and towns where even a single Shia family lives and has a mosque, and people not only do not object but have also helped. This freedom must exist for everyone.

Prayer, mosques, and education of the Sunnis should not be treated as a security issue; followers of religions and schools of thought in the country must have freedom
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid further emphasized: Another legitimate and legal demand of the general Sunni community is that their prayer, mosques, and education should not be treated as a security matter. The Constitution provides for freedom of religious schools in religious affairs and education, but unfortunately in the past, contrary to the Constitution, arbitrary decisions or the use of force have been applied. If the Constitution had been implemented, it would have been in the interest of the country and the nation.
He also stressed freedom of religions and said: In addition to Muslims, non-Muslims must also have freedom in their religion, and the Constitution affirms this freedom. Although there are some objections to the Constitution and it needs important changes, if the same Constitution had been implemented in the past, many of these problems would not have existed.

Inflation has put severe pressure on families; no social class is able to meet the necessities of life
In another part of his Friday sermon in Zahedan, the Imam referred to the people’s economic and livelihood problems, and said: The increasing pressure of inflation on families has become so severe that no class—whether scholars, employees, workers, traders, or shopkeepers—is able to meet the legitimate needs of their wives and children. Retirees and various segments of society are distressed and protest daily.
He added: Some time ago, a member of parliament said that even his own salary and that of his wife, who is a government employee, are not enough to cover their household expenses, and they are worried about where to take a loan. This is the situation of a member of parliament. Governors and even the president may also take loans. When the living conditions of traders, employees, or officials are like this, the situation of villagers and those without jobs or income is clear.

Poverty and unemployment are the cause of many corruptions and sins
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid identified poverty and unemployment as the cause of many corruptions and said: A large part of the existing corruption is related to poverty and hunger. It is mentioned in a hadith: “Almost poverty leads to disbelief.” Today, one of the reasons for the increase in thefts, kidnappings, and corruptions that endanger a person’s faith and bring him close to disbelief is poverty and hunger.

Before public outcry rises, the authorities must take serious action against the phenomenon of kidnapping / Tribes should rise against kidnapping and extortion
The Friday Imam of Zahedan stressed the need to confront the phenomenon of kidnapping, and said: Despite the efforts being made, unfortunately the incidents of kidnapping are intensifying rather than decreasing. Traders and market people are worried about their businesses and say that people are being kidnapped in broad daylight, and there is no patrol or monitoring inside the city or control over the city’s exit routes.
He continued: The ordinary life of the people should not be disrupted. We are on the verge of the reopening of schools and universities, and everyone’s security must be maintained. The authorities must take serious action and think of a solution to this issue before public outcry rises. We also urge the elders and influential figures of the tribes to rise against the phenomena of kidnapping, extortion, theft, and highway robbery so that the security of the cities and roads can be ensured.

For the government, no priority is more important than attending to the people’s affairs / Extremists must not be allowed to lead the country to ruin / Officials should reach an agreement and end the sanctions
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid stated: The people’s economic situation requires serious attention and care from the authorities. I do not consider any priority for the government more important than attending to the people’s affairs, including their economic and livelihood conditions. Officials have been repeatedly urged in the past that, considering the situation of the country and the people, they must reach an agreement and end the sanctions.
He said: Extremists must not be allowed to lead the country and the nation toward ruin. My message to the country’s officials is: Do not think only within your own circle; come into society, listen to the views of different segments including university people, scholars, thinkers, and intellectuals, consult with them, and accept what the overwhelming majority of the nation and society wants.

The dismissal of university students and professors inflicts a major blow on the country/ Reinstate the dismissed professors and students and listen to them
In the final part of his Friday sermon in Zahedan, the prominent Iranian religious scholar referred to the dismissal of university students and professors and said: The dismissal of students and university professors because of their protests inflicts a major blow on the country. The dismissal of university professors harms teaching and research and lowers the academic level of the universities, while the dismissal of students harms knowledge, expertise, the future of the country, and the current situation of the country.
He emphasized: The professors and students who have been dismissed must be reinstated, their demands must be given attention, and their voices must be heard.