Statements to the People of the Earthquake-Stricken Villages of Koych and Orang in East Azerbaijan

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our master and prophet, Abu al-Qasim al-Mustafa Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, the infallible guides, especially the Awaited One among the people of the earth.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Greetings to you, dear brothers, sisters, and beloved youth.

May the Almighty God grant you all success and patience. The bitter incident of the earthquake in this region has caused pain in all hearts; everyone is in mourning. We ask the Almighty God for patience for those who have suffered losses. We seek success for the dear people of Azerbaijan from the Almighty God. And I say to all of you - especially the dear youth - this incident can serve as a launching pad for you. With your patience, your perseverance, your efforts, your cooperation, and your empathy and solidarity with one another, God willing, you can turn this incident into a launching pad for progress.

Of course, the officials have significant responsibilities. Good work has been done so far; the main tasks lie ahead; reconstruction, fortification, and resilience must, God willing, change the face of this region after the earthquake. We ask the Almighty God to grant this success to the officials; you should also cooperate. All people should cooperate with the officials. The people across the country, as I have learned and suspected and observed, empathize with you. It is not the case that a part of the country suffers a calamity and others remain indifferent; no, everyone feels sympathy. Thanks be to God, our nation is a united nation; and because of this unity, it is strong. This power that the Islamic Iran has today, this dignity that the Iranian nation possesses today, is largely due to this unity and agreement among various segments of the people in different regions.

My purpose in this trip is primarily to express sympathy and solidarity with the dear people of this region - the areas of Ahar, Varzeqan, Haris, and the villages and surrounding areas of these three cities - to empathize with those who have lost their loved ones, their children; we share in their grief. We ask the Almighty God for patience for them. This is our primary goal. Secondly, we want to gain firsthand knowledge of the work that has been done. I asked some of the earthquake victims, and they said that the services provided so far have been good. God willing, these services should continue. Of course, the nature of the services will differ; there are heavier and more fundamental tasks ahead, which we hope the officials can fulfill with divine assistance. I entrust all of you to God.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.

Leader of the Revolution: How many casualties have there been here?

People: Two.

Leader of the Revolution: What is the population here?

People: 450 people.

Leader of the Revolution: But there is a lot of overcrowding.

People: Yes, 99 percent has been destroyed.

Leader of the Revolution: How have the services been so far?

People: Thanks be to God. Thank God. Sir! The distribution management is weak; it is very weak. One person takes ten times more; nothing reaches someone who actually lives here.

Leader of the Revolution: Amazing!

People: People have sent resources here like a flood. Everyone is active. Only the management is a bit weak; that is due to the extent of the damage.

Thanks be to God, the aid is arriving well.

Are you the governor?

Governor: Yes.

Leader of the Revolution: Did you hear about the management issue?

Governor: Yes, God willing, we will plan and solve their problems.

Leader of the Revolution: The government is truly making efforts, and the people are also providing a lot of services. The people are indeed grieving and empathizing. All the people across the country, especially in these areas, are showing sympathy. The officials are also truly working hard. As friends mentioned, management should be strengthened a bit to ensure justice is upheld.

People: God willing.

Leader of the Revolution: We hope that the Almighty God grants you patience. Those who have suffered losses, especially those who have lost their loved ones, we hope that God grants them patience and reward. My constant advice to the people of areas affected by such incidents - like earthquakes or floods in some places - is to create a platform for progress from this incident; especially you young people. These pressures, these constraints of circumstances - whether natural conditions or imposed situations - should lead us to rely more on ourselves, to work harder, to strive more; to recognize our weaknesses and address them; this is our duty. I see that this region, God willing, will have a very bright future; because both the nature of this region is good, and the people of this region are hardworking and good, and it has very good, warm, and engaging youth; thanks be to God. God willing, may the Almighty God grant you all success. Be alive. Be successful.