Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei arrived in Kermanshah in the early hours of Monday on an unannounced trip to visit quake-hit regions.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution initially arrived in the city of Sarpol-e-Zahab and inspected the damaged areas.
He then went among the bereaved and devastated people of Sarpol-e-Zahab and delivered a speech to them for a few minutes.
Addressing the people, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “I would have very much liked to travel to the city of you kind and loyal people at the time of merriment of hearts and vivacity of life, not in a situation where you are suffering from sorrow, misfortune and such a major catastrophe.”
Expressing sympathy with each and every bereaved soul in the devastated cities and villages, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution added, “Your grief has filled our hearts with sorrow and afflicted our thoughts.”
He pointed to the acts of resistance, resilience and sacrifice by the people of Kermanshah Province during the Iraqi imposed war with Iran in the 1980s, reiterating, “This is not the first time that the city of you kind and patient people and its surrounding towns have been hit by such woes; you also proved your mettle, perseverance and warriorship in the face of pain and suffering during the imposed war and will also display them today.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said, “Great and brave people stand against disasters and overcome those calamities with their resolve; therefore, although an earthquake is a great misfortune and catastrophe which devastates and grieves everyone with its destruction, this same earthquake can turn into a blessing as a result of the resistance of the people and their struggles for revitalization, construction and development.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution highlighted the possibility of overcoming natural and imposed disasters through resistance against woes and utilizing the great potentialities of the nation, adding, “This incident mobilized the Iranian nation and people all over the country, who, feeling that their hearts are with Kermanshah and that they are indebted to Kermanshah, carried out their responsibility of providing aid to the best of their ability.”
He added, “In this disaster, Officials, particularly in certain sectors, shone very well and struggled and endeavored and from the early hours of the incident and with an effective contribution, the Army in cities and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in villages rushed to the aid of people trapped under the rubble, but I am not content with this level of effort; therefore, the officials of various sectors must redouble their efforts and endeavors.”
Ayatollah Khamenei invited the people to endeavor to build the region and a better future and told them “Put your hopes on your own forces, efforts and power and build a happy life and vigorous life through reliance upon your God-given honor.”