Mahdavikia Says Iranian Nation Paragon of Humanity for World

Mehr News - Asian Player of the Year 2003, Mahdi Mahdavikia, Monday said the Iranian nation is the model of humanity for the world. 
The Hamburg SV favorite, who had attended the fundraising Golrizan ceremony added, "I am certain the Iranian people are second to none in the world.

"They have rushed to help their fellow countrymen immediately after the heartrending disaster of Bam and their support is praiseworthy."

The Bundesliga-bound right winger, who was spellbound by the massive turnout of the people said the sports community are sponsoring such ceremonies to commiserate with Bam quake-stricken people.

Mahdavikia expressed hope the charitable football friendlies are welcome in the country.

Bam victims need support until they afford to make a living, said the self-deprecating Mahdavikia, asking the people to keep aiding in the coming weeks.

Former national footballer of Iran, Ali Parvin, also extolled Golrizan ceremony.

The ex-Persepolis manager termed the ceremony a humanitarian act for relieving the great pain inflicted by the earthquake on Bam people.

He said aiding the quake victims should not be short-lived, adding that the people of Bam should be supported for two years to somehow regain their past position.

Golrizan started Monday afternoon at Tofiq Jahanbakht Hall, south of Shahid Shiroudi Sports Complex where scores of sportsmen, coaches, artists, and officials gathered to donate and collect the benevolent people's aid for the victims of the killer earthquake.

President of Iranian Wrestling Federation, Mohammadreza Taleqani, who is among the main organizers of the ceremony said huge money has been donated before the ceremony commences.

A strong quake, 6.3 degrees on the Richter scale, rocked Bam before dawn (0158 GMT) Friday, flattening about 70 percent of the mostly mud-brick buildings in the ancient Silk Road city, around 1,000km (600 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran.

Some 40,000 have been so far buried.