Iranian Sunni Cleric Slams Travel Restrictions On Peers

Zahedan's Friday Imam criticized the Iranian regime forces for blocking Sunni clerics' entry into the city, denouncing it as "narrow-mindedness."

In a response to the recent actions taken by security forces to prevent the entry of several prominent Sunni clerics into Zahedan, Mowlavi Abdolhamid, the outspoken cleric was quick to condemn the collective punishment.

The controversy began when security forces thwarted the journey of Mowlavi Habib ul-Rahman Mottahari, the director of the Sunni seminary of Khaf and several other notable Sunni clerics in Sistan and Baluchestan province who were attempting to travel to the provincial capital city. Security forces returned them to Khaf after inspecting their belongings.

Also, on Monday morning, security forces prevented the entry of Mowlavi Fazl ul-Rahman Kouhi, the Friday prayer leader and the director of a Sunni seminary in Sarbaz into Zahedan.

Abdolhamid, in his remarks on Monday, stressed, "Narrow-mindedness and ruling are not compatible. The ruler at the top should have a broader and more open view. They should not hinder the travels of scholars and question their destinations."

He emphasized that both the people and Sunni clerics are an integral part of the country.

The courageous cleric from the country's Muslim minority noted that "The general demand of the nation is to have freedom in the country and to avoid strictness."

Sistan and Baluchestan Province is not only one of the country's poorest regions but was among the regions that experienced the most extensive protests during the nationwide protests which began last year in the wake of Mahsa Amini's death in morality police custody. The region has seen a huge death toll in the hands of security forces and has seen thousands hospitalized after state sanctioned brutality swept the region.