Expressing his regret on sectarian divisions and discords in the Muslim states, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid termed ‘monopolism’ and ‘narrow-mindedness’ among the main and most important factors behind sectarian divisions in these countries.
According to a report of SunniOnline, talking to thousands of Sunni worshipers in Zahedan, Iran, on Friday 14 August, 2015, he reproached division of Muslims and said, “Islamic Shari’ah enjoins Muslims to avoid religious and tribal disputes blaming on each other for infidelity and vice. Rather they should be united; unity is the order of the Noble Qur’an”.
Alluding to the origin of divisions, he said, “The origin of all these tormenting disputes is lack of piety and Taqwa. Division and dispute weaken strong nations and ruin the weak ones. It hits our Deen and worldly life, too. Many Muslim states experience downfall in different fields just due to sectarian clashes.”
The rector of Darululoom Zahedan underlined, “I think, although the arrogant neo-colonial and Zionism movements have been striving to divide Muslims for their own interests, but the main responsibility for these divisions comes on the shoulder of Muslims.”
Going to details, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid said, “Narrow-mindedness and monopolism are two factors which can divide different groups, parties and sects; when a party wants to oust others from the power and confines all rights, it would destroy unity. Ultimately, division breaks out among any nation.”
“All extremism movements in the world are consequences of some reasons such as narrow-mindedness and monopolism. Unfortunately, today’s Muslims are so angry and they do not show any farsightedness. People of Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Egypt, Libya and other states where disputes and clashes are going on have not shown farsightedness; thus they suffer from civil war and semi-civil clashes. Muslim states are responsible for this abominable situation.”
Calling on all Muslims around the world, the member of the supreme council of the MWL said, “Muslims should repent toward Allah first of all, and then gather on the table of negotiation and dialogue. Farsightedness can bring them on the table of negotiation”.
Iranian nation should learn a lesson from other nations
Shaikh Abdol-Hamid addressed the Iranian nation in a part of his speech and said, “I’d like to call on the Iranian nation, including Shia and Sunni communities, to take a lesson from the critical conditions of some Muslim states. Shias and Sunnis must tolerate each other in order to protect themselves from calamities suffered by other nations.”
“Strong communities must take care of weak ones more; they must be with vulnerable communities. Iranian nation, including Muslims, Christians, Jews, Darawish and Zoroastrians with any conception they have, all belong to this country as they have fraternity in faith or country. All of us should tolerate each other and avoid blaming,” he emphasized.
Khateeb of Sunnis underlined, “I’d like to ensure the Iranian officials that Sunnis’ religious places, Masjids, prayer-rooms and seminaries are not threat to anyone; the regime and Shia community must not be scared. The officials in Sistan-Baluchistan know well this fact as they live with us. But this message is for officials and personalities in Tehran and other provinces who are away.”
“Shiite Ulama and Marajia’ (sources to imitate) should know Iranian Sunnis are the threat; rather they are opportunities for them. Our way is temperance, fraternity and proximity. They must not accept false and fabricated reports. If any Shia or Sunni creates discord, it would be the sign of impiety,” the chairman of Islamic Fiqh Academy of Sunnis in Iran urged.
He concluded his points by saying, “We have no any big tribune to raise voice against extremism and narrow-mindedness. But we make Du’a for all Muslims. However, some condemnations we carried out by this tribune were effective.”
At the end of his sermon before Sunnis worshipers in Zahedan, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid called on all officials to do their best in order to resolve the issue of the destroyed Pounak prayer-room in Tehran. “We must have freedom to worship Allah according to our jurisprudence as Shias enjoy full freedom in the Sunni-populated towns,” he concluded his points.