Declaration – 13 Jumada al-Awwal 1437 (2016-02-22)

Declaration from His Holiness Haj Dr. Noor Ali Tabandeh, Majzoub Ali Shah
On the Occasion of Dervish Day

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O God, among the ranks of Your servants, we praise You. All of Your creations and servants, by virtue of their servitude to You, are objects of our love and brotherhood. With this loving perspective, we regarded even those whom others introduced as our enemies as erring brothers, and we hoped—and still hope—that they become increasingly aware and cease their harm against us. With the same outlook, when we found no other solution, we were prepared to write appeals like those who have erred, and deliver them into the hands of authorities and those in positions of judgment who must remove oppression. Our peaceful and calm community was provoked through violent behavior, yet we did not abandon our conduct—and ultimately, by divine will, we achieved results.

Today reminds us how, through practicing “friendship like clear water and defense like solid rock and a sharp sword,” we attained our goal—and shall continue to do so. We offer a brotherly warning: do not regard honoring the great mystics of Iran—which is in fact honoring the faith and spiritual refinement of the Iranian people—as a hostile act, and do not allow narrow-minded and short-sighted individuals, with their superficial religious perspectives, to obstruct it.

We hope we have now awakened to see how superficial and monopolistic religious views have caused division and hatred among Muslims, and even led to the shedding of their blood. God willing, with hope for such days of love, we continue on our spiritual path.