Mawlawi Abdulhamid Ismailzahi, the Sunni Friday prayer leader of Zahedan, called for the facilitation of women's participation in the Eid al-Fitr prayer on Friday, June 15. According to the IRNA news agency, Mr. Ismailzahi, speaking during the Eid al-Fitr prayer for Sunnis, added: "During the time of the Prophet (Muhammad), even women who were excused and could not pray would participate in the Eid al-Fitr prayer. We must also consider sisters in religious matters and their presence in social scenes." He further stated: "Everyone in work, social, and religious fields should consider sisters because they make up half of our population. Until women are reformed and recognize the issues surrounding them, society will not be built." The Friday prayer leader of Makki Mosque in Zahedan said: "The constitution was drafted 40 years ago, and today's conditions are different from the past. It is in the interest of the system and the nation to adapt to current conditions. Domestic and foreign policy and even the constitution need to be revised." Mawlawi Abdulhamid had previously called for greater participation of women in social issues in a fatwa last year, and in September 2017, it was announced that 22 women had taken leadership roles in the councils of their villages in the central part of Khash County, Sistan and Baluchestan. Mr. Abdulhamid had also stated in an interview with the 'Shahrvand' newspaper in September 2017: "Now women go to university and have capabilities, and if they observe Islamic decorum, there is no problem." He added: "We even have objections, and when ministers were announced, we said that Sunnis and women have no place in the cabinet. Our criticism was that if a woman were in the cabinet, she would be welcomed worldwide; previously, a deputy minister was appointed, so it is possible to select a minister from among women, and it would have been good if a woman were also among the ministers." However, in this interview, he defended polygamy, stating that "this issue is hard for women" but added that "reason" indicates that polygamy is correct.
Mawlawi Abdulhamid: Conditions for Women's Participation in Eid al-Fitr Prayer Should Be Provided
Mawlawi Abdulhamid Ismailzahi has called for women's participation in Eid al-Fitr prayers, emphasizing their role in society and the need for constitutional reform to reflect contemporary conditions. His statements highlight ongoing discussions about women's rights and representation in Iran, particularly within the Sunni community.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Mawlawi Abdulhamid Ismailzahi called for the facilitation of women's participation in the Eid al-Fitr prayer, emphasizing their importance in society and the need for constitutional reforms. He highlighted that women's involvement in religious and social matters is crucial for societal development.
- Ismailzahi has previously advocated for women's roles in leadership and social issues.
- He has criticized the lack of female representation in government positions.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Women's rights in Iran have been a contentious issue, with ongoing debates about their role in society and governance. The Sunni community, often facing discrimination, is increasingly vocal about their rights.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%