A public discontent is observed among the people, says the statement by Molavi Abdul Hamid.
Molavi Abdul Hamid, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan, issued a statement in response to the Mahsa Amini incident as follows:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The tragic and shocking incident of the death of a Kurdish woman in Tehran, who was arrested by the Guidance Patrol of the police, has deeply hurt the feelings of the general public and shocked the people.
Considering the statements of the deceased’s parents about the lack of any medical history and the opinions of some medical experts, it is necessary to form an independent fact-finding committee on this matter, and the results of the investigations should be transparently communicated to the public. Serious and legal action should be taken against those responsible for the incident.
The angry reaction of the people and various segments of society to this incident requires serious analysis. In my opinion, a public discontent is observed among the people. The worsening economic problems, large-scale embezzlements in some governmental institutions, the increase in executions of those accused in drug trafficking cases, harsh treatment of suspects and accused individuals, the death of some suspects and prisoners in detention centers and prisons, and the intensification of religious pressures on minorities are among the factors causing this level of anger and the radicalization of protest slogans.
In Sistan and Baluchestan, where people are struggling with additional problems, livelihood has become one of the main concerns of the people. Yet, when some resort to fuel smuggling to earn a living, they are sometimes shot by officers and burned. A similar situation prevails for porters in Kurdish regions.
All these events are warnings for the officials and those concerned with the system that the current ineffective approach must be changed, and more serious steps must be taken to address the accumulated public demands. Without changing the approach and with evading responsibility and justifying mistakes, problems will not be solved; rather, the gap between the nation and the government will widen day by day. Injustice and unfairness that lead to the violation of people’s rights have undesirable consequences. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, always warned his commanders against the cry of the oppressed, saying that there is no barrier between the cry of the oppressed and God, and the prayer of the oppressed is answered immediately.
Also, in my opinion, coercive methods should not be used regarding the hijab, and the dignity of individuals should not be trampled upon, as this has so far yielded the opposite result and caused discontent in society. Instead, advice, guidance, and affirmative methods should suffice. Officers should not commit multiple wrongs and sinful acts to prevent one wrong, as male officers sometimes physically confront women and girls, which is itself a wrong and contrary to religious law.
It is hoped that the honorable officials will seriously consider addressing the problems and making fundamental changes in the country following the tragic death of Ms. Amini in Tehran and the public protests that ensued. In conclusion, I find it necessary to express my condolences and sympathy with the general public, especially our dear Kurdish compatriots, and the family and survivors of Ms. Amini.
