Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution at the Grand Gathering of the People of Zarand County

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, the chosen Muhammad, and upon his pure and chosen progeny, especially the Awaited One of God among the inhabitants of the earth.

I have known the name of your city and the virtues of the people of Zarand from various reports and from what I have heard from the people of Zarand. We have always recognized Zarand and its people for their faith, their steadfast determination, their unity of word, their purity and spirituality, and their sincerity and truthfulness. Today, as I stand before you, the sincere and pure-hearted men and women of Zarand, I see the embodiment of all those noble qualities and virtues of this city and region.

The memory of the Zarand earthquake, which occurred more than two months ago, is sorrowful for us. The calamity faced by the people due to a natural disaster is something that cannot detach those who care for and are devoted to these people from their pain and suffering. However, while I have asked God the Almighty and continue to humbly ask Him to turn this great calamity of the earthquake into a great blessing for you, and to grant patience and resilience to those who have suffered and been harmed, I want to say that calamities and disasters—which the historical life of a nation can never be free from—are smaller than to affect the steadfast determination and resolve of a nation and a collective of human beings in the pursuit of great ideals. I have recognized Zarand by its twelve thousand warriors at the front; by its enthusiastic youth, by its highly esteemed martyrs, and by the families who warmly and sincerely supported the war throughout the Sacred Defense period. I have recognized Zarand by its achievements and flourishing in education—both in the seminary and in the university—by the hard work of its people in the mining sector, by their loyalty to religion, and by their eagerness for Friday prayers and their enthusiastic gatherings on Fridays.

At the provincial level, the gathering of people at the Friday prayer in Zarand—according to the reports I have received—ranks first. Their presence at the front—its warriors, its scholars, and its laborers—has ranked first in both quantity and quality. Today, we also observed the enthusiasm, interest, and purity of these faithful people in Zarand and in one or two villages in the earthquake-affected areas that we visited.

What I want to take advantage of in this opportunity is a recommendation to you and a recommendation to the officials. The recommendation to the officials is the same general matter that has been discussed with them many times, and you, dear people, are aware of it. If we present this recommendation in the presence of the people, it is so that you, dear people, know that the culture, belief, and program of the officials in the country is this: know that the concern for the people's work and the pursuit of their issues and problems is the most important concern of the Islamic Republic system; otherwise, the place for addressing the officials is in work meetings with them. If we sometimes present our words and opinions or their opinions in large public gatherings—like today—it is to introduce the working environment and the work culture in the Islamic Republic. Therefore, the recommendation to the officials is to expedite decision-making and action. I have been informed that by utilizing the experience of the catastrophic earthquake in Bam, the work for reconstruction and cleanup and developmental activities in Zarand County is much more prepared.

Today, in addition to previous reports, I have received more detailed reports in this regard. The expectations that the people have from the officials are rightful and justified. Of course, the country has resources. What the officials decide and promise is based on the country's resources. Within the limits of resources, they must do what they can, and God willing, they will do it. Work plans have been prepared, and correct decisions have been made in this regard. As I have been told, work has already begun in some of the villages near Zarand. The repair of damaged houses, or the demolition of irreparable houses, and the compensation for the earthquake damages in terms of housing and living conditions for the people must be carried out as soon as possible, God willing; both in the city of Zarand and in the villages. The responsibility of the officials is serious follow-up. We were discussing this with the responsible friends that making decisions should not satisfy us; rather, following up on the decisions and reaching the goals we have until the last moment should be our endeavor. I expressed this point in Kerman, and I mention it here as well; although it is the last months of this government’s term and with the elections and the coming of a new government, some officials at the national level will be replaced; however, the current government and the officials who are currently working at the executive and managerial levels must implement what has been decided—whether regarding the earthquake-affected areas of Zarand and Bam and other regions, or regarding the general issues of the province—by preparing their executive instructions so that if the next officials are different from these, when they come, they will know they must continue the work. The next government officials—whoever they are; whether ministers, the head of the government, and all those whose identities we do not know who will take on this burden—must seriously and swiftly pursue these works; this is our demand from them. Decisions are not enough; the work must be pursued until it reaches the desired point, and the people should feel the sweetness of the work and efforts of the officials in their lives. Of course, we will also vigilantly monitor the progress of the work with divine assistance; we will not abandon it; this is the case in all travels. We continuously demand from the officials to carry out the works they have promised and decided upon, God willing.

But our recommendation to the people. One main recommendation is that the people should regard these bitter events as inseparable experiences of human life, and use them as a means for growth, elevation, and perfection, and to strengthen and reinforce their patience, resilience, and steadfastness in pursuing the path of divine guidance in these events. Of course, this does not mean that the people will not seek their material rights. When we tell the people to be patient in the face of calamities, the meaning of this statement is not that when they see calamities before them, they should become passive and surrender to the calamities; no, the opposite should be acted upon. At one time, the materialists of our youth propagated that divine religions advise the deprived, oppressed, poor, and working classes to be patient; meaning do not demand your rights. This is a slander against divine religions; it is exactly the opposite. We believe that every human being, under the correct perspective towards the realities of life—both bitter and sweet—can elevate themselves spiritually; they can find solace in the face of natural disasters; this solace is very important. The meaning of heart solace is not that if a person has a right in a certain area, they should not pursue it; no, the right must be pursued. But everyone should also know that no bitterness in life comes to a person, except that if they are patient for the sake of God in the face of that bitterness, God will reward them in the true life of the person—which is the life after crossing the border of life and death. No one is deceived in divine calculations. Whoever is affluent receives a certain reward for their good deeds; whoever does not have that affluence in this world receives a greater reward from God for the same good deeds. God the Almighty does not leave any pain and effort in a person's life without reward. Whoever is harmed by the earthquake has a reward before God; whoever loses their loved ones has a reward before God; whoever endures the hardships and bitterness of life has a reward before God. Islam emphasizes that a person must strive; they must transform hardships and bitterness into sweetness and success to the extent that human power allows; meaning they must work, strive, and seek their rights—these are preserved in their own place—but at the same time, bitterness and misfortune in some aspects of human life have a reward before God the Almighty; we must know this.

The earthquake victims, the injured, those who have lost loved ones, those who have suffered financial losses and damages must know that in return for what they lose, when they have their hearts directed towards God and consider God in their accounts, God the Almighty will compensate them. It is not the case that the earthquake victim is equal before God with someone who is not an earthquake victim; no, God gives them a reward that He does not give to the other.

The second point we mentioned is that all the calamities of the world can be a ladder for the advancement of a person and a nation. During the war and the Sacred Defense, they surrounded this country; they closed the paths of knowledge, understanding, technology, and necessary products to us; they did not give us ordinary bullets and ordinary weapons; however, our nation used this great constraint and hardship for its advancement. Today, the world is in fear of the nuclear weapons of the Iranian nation. We are not seeking nuclear weapons; however, the capacity and capability of the Iranian nation have reached a point where the modern world and the world possessing destructive and terrifying weapons and nuclear weapons are afraid of the Iranian nation, of the youth of Iran, and of the scholars of Iran; this is a great advancement; how did we achieve this advancement? The Iranian nation was able to use those constraints and hardships and calamities as a ladder to elevate itself and pull itself up.

The arrogant powers think that the key to the happiness and misery of nations is in their hands. Of course, if a nation abandons itself, it is so. If a nation does not make determination and will its slogan, it is so; as we have seen with some Muslim nations that did not exert their will; thus, their life and death fell into the hands of foreign powers to dominate them. But if a nation exerts its determination, faith, and steadfast will, recognizes its identity and character, and values it, no power can dominate it.

What we insist on conveying to the Iranian nation at all stages is that the Iranian nation, by virtue of looking to itself, was able to overthrow the tyrannical power and the corrupt government, which was deeply immersed in corruption and dependency, and establish a popular government. Today, even as the enemies of Islam shout against the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation from the corners of the arrogant loudspeakers, the Iranian nation can, with self-confidence, steadfastness, resolute determination, and maintaining cohesion and unity—which this year has been symbolically declared as the year of national solidarity and public participation—achieve both material wealth and prosperity; also achieve scientific advancement; also secure the new technologies of the world; and also create for itself what the materialistic world of the West lacks in spirituality; secure faith for itself and deepen religious knowledge within itself.

The Americans and the arrogant powers dominating the regime of the United States of America think that everything is in their hands; they are mistaken. Of course, their wise and more mature individuals know that the shouts being raised are unfounded; however, their ignorant ones shout drunkenly and challenge the world.

The Iranian nation has chosen a path and will continue on it; this path is the path of dignity, knowledge, faith, and determination. We must pursue knowledge. Thanks be to God, your city is flourishing in terms of seminaries and universities. We must pursue faith. Fortunately, you people of this city and the people of Kerman province are faithful and religious people; you are those who have accepted the divine faith and the faith of God deeply; although our nation in all parts of this country possesses faith in Islam and the pure divine teachings. In terms of work, determination, and will, thanks be to God, our nation has shown, and you people of Zarand and the people of Kerman province have shown that you are people of will. You must want, decide, and act.

One of the very important things is resilience. The Bam earthquake made us and the officials of the country once again aware of the importance of resilience. The experience of Bam became a practical lesson for us throughout the country; then the issue of Zarand arose. Everyone must take resilience seriously; both the officials and the people. The recommendation for resilience is not only a recommendation to the officials. The plan that the brothers of the Housing Foundation are pursuing with the help of the government regarding the construction of villages is a general resilience; but cities must also be the same. The people, the builders of houses, the developers, and also the government officials must make resilience one of their main issues.

Our country is an earthquake-prone country. Zarand County is located on two active earthquake faults. This danger exists, but this danger can be fought against. At one time, a calamity has no remedy; however, this calamity has a remedy. The remedy is resilience and giving importance to construction. It is narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that he said: "May God have mercy on a person who performs a task and does it well"; may God's mercy be upon a person who, when doing a task, does it firmly and accurately. Even the fabric you weave should be strong; the shoes you sew should be strong; the words you speak should be firm; your logic should be firm and correct; the houses you build should be built strongly. Negligence in any of these tasks is unacceptable. Resilience must be taken very seriously. The officials have made this issue one of their main issues.

We thank God that He has equipped you people with this enthusiasm and faith in the face of these events. Today was an opportunity for me to come and observe closely what I have known and heard about Zarand. I sincerely thank you for your kindness, for your gatherings, and for the expressions of affection shown to me—by all the people, the community, and some of the elders—and I find it necessary to mention the earthquake victims of "Ravar" as well—who I heard were also affected in the Zarand earthquake. I hope that God will shower all of you with His mercy.

O Lord! Send down Your mercy and blessings upon these people. O Lord! Make all the officials grateful to these people. O Lord! Guide these people in their pursuit of righteousness, success, perfection, and reaching divine ideals. O Lord! Make the sacred heart of the Awaited One pleased and satisfied with all of us and all of these people. O Lord! Grant mercy to the deceased of these people—especially those who lost their lives in the bitter earthquake—and also to the dear martyrs and the deceased who served these people, and bestow patience and endurance upon the hearts of the mourners from Your side.

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