The popularity of the leading Sunni cleric has risen in Iran, even among the Shia majority, since nationwide protests began in mid-September.
Moravi Abdulhamid’s rise to popularity is largely due to his brave comments that challenge the absolute authority of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In a prayer sermon on Friday, November 4, Moravi Abdulhamid, formally known as Moravi Sheikh Abdulhamdid Esmailzehi, called again for a referendum in Iran to determine the form of government and political structure. I called. he’s done it before. But this time, he wants an “internationally supervised referendum” and his distrust of the government and rejection of Shiite clerical rule based on the absolute power of the unelected supreme leader. This is a characterization that reveals
Abdul Hamid has always been a vocal advocate for the rights of Sunni Iranians, but since Sept. 30, his hometown of Zahedan has faced two IRGC attacks on Friday prayer crowds. The tone and rhetoric became increasingly defiant. he was injured.
Addressing the government, he said on Friday, “The majority of Iranians are dissatisfied. If you disagree, hold a referendum in the presence of international observers and accept the result.” He added: “Kill and beat. , cannot push back a country that has been protesting in the streets for 50 days by arresting them.
last week, his video After a second attack went viral on social media. A very moving and impressive sermon, he said in a proud voice on October 28th“Sunnis have suffered discrimination since the start of the Islamic revolution in 1979.” He warned the government that “unilateral decisions are the weakness of the country’s administration.”
Abdul Hamid (left) with President Raisi during the 2021 presidential election
False news agency belonging to the Revolutionary Guard Corps denounced Sunni leaders encouraged the people to revolt on November 5th.
Moravi Abdulhamid, a former supporter of reformist President Mohammad Khatami (1997-2005) and moderate conservative Hassan Rouhani (2013-2021), is vying for ultra-conservative Ebrahim Raisi in the 2021 presidential election. encouraged Iran’s Sunni population to support He later complained that Raishi had refused to keep his promises to the country’s Sunni community, even though millions had voted for him. Some criticized Abdul Hamid for supporting Raisi.
Abdul Hamid, however, was brave enough to hold Khamenei responsible for the attack. continue, Some Iranian media started speculating On the possible role of Moravi Abdulheid in bringing about political change. Abdul Hamid, 75, is commonly known as one of Iran’s most influential political and religious leaders, with nearly 15 million Sunnis listening to him. Their participation in the 2021 election shows his immense influence.
In the early history of the Islamic Republic, Moravi Abdul Hamid and other Sunni clerics opposed one of the constitutional provisions allowing only a Shiite to become president. At the start of the reform movement in 1997, Abdul Hamid played a key role as a charismatic leader and reformist politician Mohammad He rallied Sunnis behind Khatami. The history of the Islamic Republic reveals that Abdul Hamid’s backed candidates won elections in Sistan, Balochistan, and Kurdistan.
Nonetheless, Interior Ministry officials deemed Abdul Hamid’s October 28 sermon provocative and accused his words of inciting thousands of Baruch to take to the streets against the government. Due to his influence, several senior guards were replaced from the post after his second attack on Zahedan.
Abdul Hamid is well-respected by the women’s movement in Iran, but women disagree with his ideas in favor of polygamy. Many in Baluchistan refer to Abdul Hamid as Amir al-Momenin. [the leader of the pious]a rank indicating his perhaps greater role in the region’s future.
