“Tragic Earthquake can be a Catalyst for Real Positive Change” Leader of Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Khamenei

The Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei has said the Iranian people, sympathizing with earthquake victims in north west of the country, can turn this tragic event into a launching pad for positive change and transformation of quake-stricken areas.
Visiting the earthquake-stricken areas of north western Iran, in east Azerbaijan province, on Thursday morning, The Leader saw for himself, first-hand, the rescue and relief operations underway for all those who have been affected by this natural disaster.
The Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei called on local people to be patient and said if local people of quake-stricken areas cooperate with one another, then this tragic event may be the catalyst for real positive change which will really transform this region.
According to IRIB World Service, speaking to a crowd of survivors and victims of the earthquake in the village of “Kouvich” , in east Azerbaijan, the Leader stressed that the principal aim of his visit to this region is to express his sorrow and sympathy for all the local people, and victims of this natural disaster, and to express his condolences to all those who had lost their loved ones.
The Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei poignantly added: “All the Iranian people, the entire nation, sympathize and grieve for the victims of this tragedy, and sympathize with all those who have been affected by this earthquake”.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the Iranian people are a united people, and it is precisely this unity and solidarity which has led to the power and greatness of this nation.
The Leader of Islamic Ummah and Oppressed People Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei also visited the village of “Sarand”, close to the town of Haris, which were also impacted by last Saturday’s earthquakes.
In further remarks, The Leader praised the relief and rescue efforts, saying much-needed aid and relief had reached the victims of this disaster . He emphasized that officials in charge of reconstruction, relief and rescue efforts bore a heavy responsibility, since a great deal of work still needed to be done to reconstruct this region, and to make the residential units and other structures earthquake-resistant.