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Dr. Seyed Masoud Khatami, the president of IRCS (third from left), receiving the Shining World Compassion Award

On May 12, 2008, China's southwestern Sichuan Province experienced a severe 7.9-magnitude earthquake that claimed 70,000 human lives and left millions homeless. Local and world communities rushed to bring humanitarian aid, hope and comfort. One of these caring organizations is the Iranian Red Crescent Society, which sent 60 tons of goods that included 3,000 tents, sleeping gear and medical equipment to be distributed to people in the affected areas. For this loving gesture, Supreme Master Ching Hai recognized the organization with the Shining World Compassion Award.

The Red Crescent Society is Iran's largest relief organization, with many provincial and local branches and facilities including hundreds of hospitals and medical centers, centers for children and youth, nursing schools, road relief systems, air and marine rescue bases, and blood donation banks. With a mission to improve the quality of life for all humans, the organizations benevolent endeavors reach beyond the borders of Iran. Its current work centers on bringing relief to those afflicted by natural and human-made disasters, developing medical and rehabilitation centers, donating medical supplies and medicines, and mobilizing the help of youth and other volunteers. The organization has helped many other countries and regions in recent years, including donating 5,000 tents to the displaced Iraqi people in 2007, establishing medical centers in several countries, including Iraq, in 2008, supplying assistance during a cold spell in Afghanistan in 2008, and providing much-needed assistance and 2,000 medical volunteers to help the innocent children, women and defenseless people in Gaza since December 2008.

The Shining World Compassion Award was presented on November 11, Golden Year 5 (2008) by our Association representatives from Malaysia and Formosa in a ceremony at the Red Crescent Society's headquarters in Tehran, Iran. Accepting the Award plaque was the Society's current President, Dr. Seyed Masoud Khatami, who said that the Iranians have a longstanding culture and custom to help people in need and that the organization will continue to be ready to help the people of the world.

Media groups including the Tehran Times, the Mehr News Jame Jam newspaper and Iran TV2 covered the Award presentation, which was attended by leading members of the Iranian Red Crescent Society. During the gathering, Dr. Seyed Masoud Khatami expressed his ideal for the world:Hoping that one day peace, serenity, sincerity and friendship amongst all people of the world, from different races and countries, would prevail.¡¨ The IRIB (Islamic Republic Iran Broadcasting) interviewed our Association representatives the following day.

Our gracious accolades to Red Crescent Society of Iran for this well-deserved recognition. We also send our grateful thanks for your noble actions that bring relief and goodness to so many places. May you and your gentle country be blessed abundantly.

News article reporting on the Award presentation in the Tehran Times: http://www.tehrantimes.com/Index_view.asp?code=182362

If you wish to know more about the beautiful things happening in our world, please check out our archives of awards presented over the years, including the Awards of the Month. Go!!

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