Seyyed Morteza Bakhtiari, at the news conference of biennial activities of Astan Quds Razavi among reporters said, “On the demise anniversary of the late Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, Ayatollah Waez Tabasi, I consider my duty to revere the memory of this revolutionary and defender legend, who honestly endured many hardships for the victory of the Islamic Revolution, especially during the period of being the representative of the Supreme Leader in Khorasan provinces and the custodianship of Astan Quds Razavi, he has been the source of many works and blessings for the country and this sacred Illuminated Shrine.”
“March 8th, is the anniversary of the issuance of the Ayatollah Raeisi’ decree; the Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi by the Supreme Leader; which is known as the ‘Septet Charter’, and through which new horizons and missions have been set for the establishment and the charter as an high-ranking document defined a major and important mission for Astan Quds Razavi.
Caring for the Deprived and the Underprivileged
“The valuable work that was given special attention by the devisal of Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi was the use of public capacities” he said “He defined a new concepts out of servant, service, and the served for us, in which the theoretical foundations of service delivery based on a new pattern was determined for all.”
“Another successful project that is underway is the pilgrimage project from source to source, backed by Astan Quds Razavi and so far, more than 600,000 first-time pilgrims have attended the Razavi Illuminated Court.
“The development of servanthood in jihadi camps, the provision of free services by physicians and specialists and employment creation are other cases pursued with strength to wipe out deprivation” Deputy Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi reiterated.
Freeway Construction to Increase the Welfare of Pilgrims
“We left our share of the Mashhad Mall project and we will use its sale benefits to do the public oriented activities and the creation of sustainable employment, such as the construction of Mashhad-Chenaran freeway and our supreme goal is the entrance of Astan Quds into major national projects to increase the safety and well-being of pilgrims” Deputy Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi said on the economic activities of the Holy Shrine.
High Construction around the Shrine Is Not Approved
Referring to the holding of various expert meetings by presence of top managers and authorities of the province and the former and current Astan Quds Razavi regarding the recent approval of the Supreme Council of Architecture and Urban Development, he acknowledged, “At the time when the late Mr. Kazerooni was the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, he presented a report on the texture design around the Holy Shrine to the Supreme Leader. He says that every change around the Holy Shrine must be checked with Astan Quds Razavi and it seems to me this has not realized.”
Referring to the measures taken in the worn-out texture surrounding the Imam Reza’s (A.S.) Shrine Bakhtiari said, “In this regard, the issue should be approved through the cooperation of Astan Quds Razavi, the provincial executive departments such as the Khorasan Razavi’s Governorate and the municipality of Mashhad. Because the elevation around the Holy Shrine, and the reduction of the width of downtown area and parkways is not acceptable and any modifications should not be in conflict with the architecture of the sacred places which are of the great works of Islamic civilization.”
The Important Mission of Provincial Representative Offices
Bakhtiari, stating that the funds and revenues of Astan Quds Razavi are gained from the income of the people's endowments and vows expressed, “If our reliance is on the revenues and the financial resources of the Astan Quds, they are not so much that we could solve the problems of all the deprived and the oppressed.”
“Astan Quds Razavi Representative Offices have been formed in the field of servant recruitment to provide services to the deprived and the oppressed, to promote the development of Razavi's culture and to develop endowment and vow in provincial centers and we are still at the beginning. The transformation that has to take place with the efforts of Astan Quds Razavi in the country requires strong organizing, which will be carried out with help of Imam Reza (A.S.) and the aid of the people” he remarked.
“There are currently 55,000 individuals registered for servant assistantship throughout the country, and in the field of serving the deprived and the oppressed in the name of Imam Reza (A.S.) in their place of residence are unraveling people’s problem” Deputy custodian of Astan Quds Razavi added:.
25% Increase in the Vows
“In 2016 compared with 2015, we had 25% increase in vows. The best evaluator and judge are the people themselves. When people see the service, in spite of all the economic problems, we observe this increasing trend” Bakhtiari enunciated.
“We have started several major projects in the endowments, one of which is the great Razavi Pilgrim City’s project. The project is being built in three phases with a capacity of 20,000 inhabitants and its first phase was implemented in 2017, and the second phase has had 35% progress” Bakhtiari asserted.
Provision of Employment Loans to Empower the Deprived
Deputy Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, responding to a question about concluding a memorandum with the Relief Committee for giving loans to the deprived stated, “Memorandum of understanding between Astan Quds Razavi and Imam Khomeini Relief Committee has been concluded, and it is decided that from Guardianship Relief Fund, 100 billion Tomans will be allocated to the deprived and the oppressed areas. This loan has an 18-months intermission, and within five years the amount will be paid back to the Fund.”
“One of the foundations of the strategic policies of Resistive Economy is reliance on domestic production and capabilities, and this measure is being taken to achieve it” he reiterated.
“Now, in some villages of Kalat Naderi, we have entered the category of job creation through scientific methods, greenhouse cultivation or animal husbandry” Bakhtiari added.
“Astan Quds Razavi Animal Husbandry Holding has started training, and villagers will be given livestock to be empowered and to eliminate deprivation” he enunciated.
3400 Billion Tomans Debt of the Government
Deputy Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, referring to pursuing the debts collection of Astan Quds Razavi from the government expressed, “The debt is about 3400 billion Tomans, the approval stages of which in agreement with the government are now legally completed.”
“The capability of the government is not comparable with Astan Quds Razavi’s, and if it is expected that all services for the pilgrims will be done by Astan Quds, then the pilgrims will not receive proper services. We know the problems of the government and we do not expect that all 3,400 billion Tomans to be paid in cash. We even announced that we are prepared to carry out the necessary expertise and research for the stocks of companies that can provide employment for the deprived and the oppressed” he emphasized.
Underlying Measures to Prevent Economic Corruption
“All the departments have a duty to fight corruption, and this is more important for the establishment attributed to Imam Reza (A.S.) because the most important asset of it for centuries has been the trust and dedication of the people, and by the emphasis of the Grand Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, there have been some underlying measures carried out” he stressed.
“About the economic corruption case that had been raised in the past, the initial verdict is issued and after the Astan Quds Razavi’s appeal, it is referred to the appeal branch waiting for the final verdict” he enunciated.
“Over the past two years, more than 150 assemblies of economic organization and affiliated institutes have been held, and the Mofid Rahbar Audit Institute has undertaken the task of auditing and reviewing the performance of the economic activities of the establishment, all of which aiding the strengthening and creating continuous and systematic monitoring” Bakhtiari remarked.