During my tenure as the head of the Chamber of commerce, various individuals approached me for assistance with their bureaucratic challenges, such as obtaining licenses from the municipality. I consistently refused any offers of money for my help, emphasizing my commitment to serving the community without personal gain. On one occasion, when faced with multiple cases of delayed licenses, I invited all affected parties to the Chamber of commerce and expedited their paperwork, underscoring the importance of respect and assistance to all who sought help.
In response to shortages of essentials like sugar, flour, and meat, I took proactive steps to address these crises. For instance, to combat sugar smuggling, I personally intercepted a truck loaded with smuggled sugar, redirecting it to the Chamber of commerce for fair distribution among the people at regulated prices. This action, while controversial, was guided by a commitment to justice and community welfare.
Another time, I was approached late at night by a businessman who had been waiting hours to see me, desperate for help with a prolonged licensing issue. After reviewing his case and finding no legitimate hindrance to his permit, I issued his license on the spot. This man, grateful for the resolution, attempted to reward me financially, but I declined, suggesting instead that he donate school uniforms to needy children in a local village. This gesture not only addressed his desire to give back but also benefited the community, reinforcing the impact of kindness and social responsibility.
My approach to leadership and service was consistently marked by an unwavering dedication to fairness, transparency, and the well-being of all community members. Whether addressing individual needs or confronting broader crises, my actions were driven by a deep-seated belief in serving without expectation of personal gain, a principle that guided my interactions with everyone from local businessmen to the most vulnerable members of our community.
There are many stories like this one; one morning, as I was on my way to Tehran, I encountered a municipal officer who told me about a bakery in the lower part of the city, owned by a husband and wife, that did not have a license. Apparently, he had gone there to shut it down, but the baker and his wife had not allowed it and had cursed him out. I said, “Let’s go there.” Before we even reached the bakery, the woman, standing by the oven, started cursing as soon as she saw us; she kept on cursing for a while. The municipal officer wanted to stop her, but I let her speak her mind. Once she finished, I told her to come to the Chamber of commerce the next day with their file.
The next day, they came; their file had no issues, and they had been needlessly delayed for years. They were needy people; I fixed their license that day, and they left. Later, they always prayed for me; one day, they even brought a box of sweets to my house as an apology and thank you. We hosted them and after they left, I told my family not to eat those sweets; I gave them to my grandmother to take to the cemetery as charity since I had fixed their problem, and they had brought the sweets for that.