Chief mourns Iran disaster

CHIEF Kamba of Makoni has sent a condolence message to the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran following the death of 20 people when a building collapsed in Tehran last week.

The traditional leader said in a response to a request by the Sheikh of the Islamic Republic of Iran, he visited the Iranian Embassy in Harare last week to pay his condolences.

Chief Kamba wrote in the Book of Condolences on Tuesday, saying: “Interaction with a broad spectrum of faiths at the Regional Interfaith Dialogue Conference in October 2016, Harare, presented an opportunity for me to know more about the cultural imperatives of the Iranian people and their aspirations for a future that offers good fortune and promise to all its citizens.

“I thus greeted the news of the collapse of a tall building that claimed many lives of an illustrious citizenry, hardly a fortnight of the passing on of the luminary, Ayatollah Rafsanjani, with uttermost sadness.

“As custodians of an all-embracing culture, together with fellow Zimbabweans, we mourn again with the people of Iran and urge them to continue to gather strength in the wisdom that they owe it to themselves, to transform difficult and sad times into opportunity to reflect, re-focus and renew their vows towards creating an atmosphere, where the vision and hope of all Iranians, will always overcome temporary moments of despair.

“May God give a peaceful rest to the departed souls and grant comfort to the peoples of Iran under the guidance of their esteemed leadership. Thus done in solidarity with the cultural civilisations of the peoples of Zimbabwe and Iran.”