Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - September 12, 2000 - Continuation of Reactions to Sheikh Mahdi Karroubi's Meeting in New York

Continuation of reactions to Sheikh Mahdi Karroubi's meeting in New York.

Trip to Sari and the first flight of the 707 aircraft at Dasht-e Naz Airport in Sari.

Report and hospitality from Davood Kashavarzian, the governor, and Sheikh Noorullah Tabarsi, the Friday prayer leader of Sari, toward Hashemi.

Report from the president of Mazandaran University on the status of the university.

Meeting with relatives of the late Sheikh Hassan Lahouti, father of Hashemi's sons-in-law.

The full entry of the day:

I went to my office. The streets were quiet due to the holiday [commemorating the anniversary of the passing of Fatima Zahra (SA)]. I read the reports. Western media are paying considerable attention to Mr. Mahdi Karroubi's meeting with U.S. Congress representatives, believing it to be planned. I packed my travel suitcase in my office, and at ten o'clock, we headed to the airport for our flight to Sari. We landed at Dasht-e Naz Airport in Sari at eleven-thirty. After a period of closure for expansion, this was the first flight to land, operated by a 707 aircraft.

The Friday prayer leader and several officials from the city and province welcomed us. I had a brief interview with the provincial broadcasting organization and then we headed directly to the NAJA Educational Complex. A gathering of clerics from the province welcomed us warmly. On the way, Governor Davood Kashavarzian and Friday prayer leader Noorullah Tabarsi provided explanations. They mentioned that most industries in the province are stagnant. They expressed happiness over the good rain that had fallen yesterday and today. Imam Tabarsi welcomed us. I delivered an extensive speech on the necessity of updating the education, knowledge, and thoughts of the clergy, mentioning that in the past, all contemporary sciences were taught in religious educational centers, whereas now most fields of humanities, natural sciences, and mathematics have moved from religious seminaries to universities. I emphasized that enhancing the clergy's education is essential for the continuation and evolution of the Islamic Revolution.

The congregational prayer was held during my stay. We had lunch there. Two young girls welcomed me, and I gave them a gift of a quarter of a gold coin each. Several scholars praised my sermon from yesterday's Friday prayers, noting that many people in Iran cried due to my unique explanations about the condition and sermon of Fatima Zahra (SA), and they expected similar recitations in this meeting as well.

We went to the office of the Friday prayer leader to rest. In the evening, the president of Mazandaran University arrived. He complained about the lack of attention given to the university and thanked me for my past support during his tenure, explaining a conference they were organizing related to agriculture. The governor and the Friday prayer leader also came. Together, we went to the mosque for the commemoration of the martyrs of the province and the 1,300 martyrs of Sari. It was raining heavily, and a large crowd had gathered, surprising the attendees. They gave us a warm and enthusiastic welcome. The Friday prayer leader, the governor, and a martyr's son welcomed us, and the minister of their slogan, under the influence of the excitement and crowding, interacted warmly and managed the gathering, akin to the actions of Mr. Mortezaifar. I delivered an extensive speech about the war, the eight years of sacred defense, its achievements, and the role of the martyrs, particularly the 25th Karbala Division of Mazandaran.

Afterward, we went to Khazarabad, the Army Ground Forces' rest area on the shores of the Caspian Sea; Fatemeh, Fati, and several relatives had already arrived. It turned out they had also attended the commemoration, and the women recognized them and treated them kindly.

We took a stroll along the beach. The manager of the rest area provided explanations. I had been here seven years ago; the condition is similar to before, except that due to rising water levels, a flood barrier has been constructed along the shore, which has damaged the beach. Several relatives of the late Hassan Lahouti were also with Fati. We had dinner together. I reviewed the reports on my laptop; imperialist circles are upset about my sermon from yesterday's Friday prayers and are conducting smear campaigns.