Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - October 9, 1999 - The Beginning of Ayatollah Khamenei’s Opposition and Its Tangible Manifestation Towards Ataollah Mohajerani’s Ministry in a Meeting with Some Officials

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's Memoirs - October 9, 1999

In today's memoirs, which contain significant historical content, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani notes the beginning of Ayatollah Khamenei's opposition, which became evident and tangible regarding Ataollah Mohajerani’s Ministry during a meeting with some officials.

The meeting with Mr. Vaez Tabasi, Dori Najafabadi, and Sheikh Ahmad Jannati, which began with the recitation of verse 90 from Surah Ad-Duha and the interesting metaphor of them presenting themselves as orphans in Hashemi’s absence for the upcoming elections, was notable.

Mr. [Mohammad Mohammadi] Reyshahri, [the custodian of the Holy Shrine of Abdol Azim], came and requested that I attend the inauguration of the Hadith College. I have personally funded a significant portion of the college’s construction; it is located in Rey. During the session of the Expediency Discernment Council, the general policies of the mining sector were approved.

Mr. [Mohsen] Nourbakhsh and [Eshaq] Jahangiri came and expressed their gratitude for the extension of Mr. Karbaschi’s leave, which has now been extended for another ten days. They expressed concern about the possible conviction of Mr. Abdullah Nouri, [editor of the Khordad newspaper], and his disqualification from participating in the [Sixth Parliamentary] elections. They also voiced their concerns and sought advice on the pressures being exerted on Mr. [Ataollah] Mohajerani, [Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance], and deliberated on his potential resignation, given the seriousness of the Supreme Leader’s opposition to the Ministry’s actions and the dissatisfaction of the clerics; it is a challenging situation.

At noon, Mr. [Abbas Vaez] Tabasi, [Ghorbanali] Dori [Najafabadi], and [Ahmad] Jannati were my guests. They are pressuring me to run for Parliament, to the extent that they refer to themselves as orphans without me, reciting the verse "So as for the orphan, do not oppress him" [Ad-Duha: 9].

I reiterated my previous argument that I stepped aside to prevent the revolution from becoming dependent on one person. I also consider the task of approving the country’s general policies important, which is being done for the first time. I told them that if they resolve their own issues, they can secure the majority vote.

I advised them to avoid harsh and unnecessary restrictions that alienate women and youth. They are gradually acknowledging their mistakes, especially the rejection of moderate forces, and I also explained practical ways of moving forward.