A large number of engineers and industrial and technical researchers called on the Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Wednesday, February 23, on the occasion of the Engineering Day.
A large number of engineers and industrial and technical researchers called on the Grand Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Wednesday, February 23, on the occasion of the Engineering Day.
In an address to the audience, the Leader referred to the role of the Islamic Revolution in creating self-confidence in the Iranian scientists and researchers and removing the obstacles that existed in the way of their scientific progress and innovation. He called on the audience to try to attain a high level of scientific and technological progress, which the Iranian people with their past glorious scientific record deserve.
Ayatollah Khamenei further hinted at the reasons for the Iranian nation's lagging behind in science and technology in the era before the Islamic Revolution. He noted that the period starting from the middle of the Qajar rule until the end of the Pahlavi rule in Iran was the period of decline and falling back in science and technology, despite the country's glorious scientific background and great civilization.
"In this period of some one hundred years, the country's rulers blindly imitated the West and, in practice, deterred any kind of creativity, innovation and scientific progress on the part of the Iranian people and undermined their self-confidence. Consequently, the industrialized countries of the West that followed expansionist objectives dominated our country, and the talented Iranian people turned into mere imitators of the West who had no will of their own," he pointed out.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic stated that one of the most important achievements of the Islamic Revolution was bringing this period of decline to an end. He went on to say, "The Islamic system infused the Iranian people with the belief and confidence that they had enough talent and potential to make progress. The remarkable achievements of young Iranian engineers, scientists and researchers in different fields such as dam and power plant construction, aircraft manufacturing, the production of military equipment and gaining access to sophisticated nuclear technology are among the blessings of the Islamic Revolution."
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the sanctions imposed on the Iranian nation ever since the victory of the Islamic Revolution as among the effective factors contributing to the self-dependence of the Iranian scientists and researchers and their gaining access to domestic technology. The Leader, however, stressed that although the progress already made is remarkable compared with the era before the revolution, it is by no means enough, and that the Iranian nation should try to open new frontiers in different fields of science in order to catch up with the world's scientific progress.
The Leader of the Islamic Republic further stated that the scientific breakthroughs made in Iran will not only reflect honor and dignity on the Iranian nation but will also benefit others, especially other Muslim nations. He added that despite the considerable attention paid to scientific research in recent years, the spirit of research and investigation should be further promoted in various academic circles, including in different engineering areas.
Considering that the country is prone to natural disasters, Ayatollah Khamenei called for more attention to be paid to the structure and design of buildings. He called on engineers to design buildings in the urban and rural areas in such a way as to combine beauty with strength, harmony with environment, economy and observance of native and Islamic standards.
The Leader expressed deep sorrow over the recent devastating earthquake that hit the city of Zarand in Kerman Province and also over last year's earthquakes in Bam, Kerman Province, and Baladeh in northern part of the country. He stated that such incidents would add to the responsibility of officials and architects.
"The Engineering Regulation Organization should enforce the rules requiring engineers to seriously supervise the construction of buildings. Besides, the repair of dilapidated buildings in cities and villages should be given priority by the relevant officials," Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized.