On the third day of his tour of Kerman Province, the Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei visited the provincial city of Bam on Tuesday, May 3.
During the visit, which was the Leader's third visit to Bam over the past one and a half years, Ayatollah Khamenei inspected the process of reconstruction of earthquake-stricken areas. The visit was made without prior notice and lasted some one and a half hours.
After visiting the different parts of Bam, the Leader made a speech to a large crowd of tens of thousands of enthusiastic local residents who had gathered at the city's Martyr-Biglari Stadium.
Before the Leader's speech, the city's Friday prayer leader Hojjatoleslam Askari welcomed the Leader of the Islamic Republic to the city of Bam on behalf of the local residents and thanked the Leader for his special attention to the city's reconstruction.
Addressing the large gathering, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed his pleasure over noticing the signs of hope and vitality on the faces of the faithful, patient and sincere residents of Bam. He said he was grateful to Almighty Allah that, following the earthquake, the local people had started to live their normal lives and were full of hope and enthusiasm.
The Leader called on government officials to increase their efforts to meet the legitimate needs and demands of the residents of Bam.
"Islam does not recommend submission and passivity in the face of natural disasters and catastrophes, but advises us to adopt a wise approach to such natural phenomena in order to prevent similar disasters in the future. This is what the honorable and diligent people of Bam are currently doing," he pointed out.
Ayatollah Khamenei also noted that by learning lessons from the devastative earthquake that hit Bam some one and a half years ago, the government should try to strengthen weak structures in residential areas across the country in order to make them resistant to earthquakes.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic considered the measures so far taken by the Bam's Reconstruction Headquarters worthy of praise and admiration, but emphasized that these measures are by no means enough. He called on the relevant officials to increase their efforts to expedite the reconstruction process and build more houses and shopping centers for the people who were affected by the earthquake.
"Among other measures that should be taken by the government with regard to the city of Bam are dealing with educational affairs and the requirements of teachers and students, solving the problems of businessmen and shopkeepers, creating jobs for young people and maintaining security in the region," he told the audience.
Ayatollah Khamenei termed the heart-rending loss of lives of the Bam residents in the recent earthquake an unforgettable tragedy.
"If our government officials learn lessons from this natural disaster, the effects of this great tragedy could somehow be redressed. The most important lesson to learn is to pay serious attention to increasing the resistance of weak buildings in our cities and villages, since similar earthquakes may strike other parts of our country as well," he noted.
The Leader also criticized the government for not establishing a center for dealing with emergencies and the crises resulting from natural catastrophes. He called on the government to establish the center as soon as possible, emphasizing that being prepared to immediately deal with natural disasters can save thousands of lives.
Elsewhere in his statements, Ayatollah Khamenei praised the residents of Bam for their laudable patience and fortitude. He stated that by the efforts and perseverance of the local people and officials, a strong, beautiful and thriving city should rise up from among the ruins of Bam, manifesting the firm will and resolve of the Bam residents and fulfilling their needs.
"Although many countries and international organizations failed to fulfill the promises they had made about Bam, the Iranian nation and the Islamic system relied on their own resources and acted in such a manner that they drew admiration from the world public," he reminded the audience.
Further in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic criticized those who diverted public attention to futile political and factional disputes over the recent years.
"Such disputes have no positive effect on the everyday lives of the people. Instead, the three government branches should utilize all their means and make every effort to create more jobs, promote material and spiritual development combined with social justice and counter discrimination, corruption and the enjoyment of undeserved privileges," the Leader told the gathering.
After making his speech at the city's Martyr-Biglari Stadium, Ayatollah Khamenei visited the Martyrs Cemetery and paid homage to the martyrs of the Islamic Revolution and of the Iraqi imposed war. He also prayed for divine mercy on those people who had lost their lives in the devastating earthquake that struck Bam some one and a half years ago.
Later in the day, the Leader of the Islamic Republic received the local government authorities and the officials in charge of the city's reconstruction. Expressing his appreciation for their sincere and valuable efforts, the Leader advised the officials to fully supervise the reconstruction process and the activities of all related organs, so that no flaw or shortcoming may detract from the value of their efforts in the eyes of the public.
Ayatollah Khamenei also placed great emphasis on meeting the urgent needs of the local people and promoting commercial and trade activities in the city, so that the Bam residents may earn a livelihood more easily.