Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - July 7, 2000 - Release of a Statement by Clerical Students Requesting the Impeachment of Ataollah Mohajerani

Release of a Statement by Clerical Students Requesting the Impeachment of Ataollah Mohajerani

Leading the Friday Prayers in Tehran

Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah's Pre-Sermon Speech in Persian, Read from a Written Script

Sheikh Mohsen Doagoo Labeling Seyyed Mohammad Khatami's Government a "National Disaster" in the Friday Sermon in Shemiran

In the morning, I reviewed my notes for the Friday sermon and then led the Friday prayers at the University of Tehran. Alongside discussing ethical matters, I condemned the U.S. for interfering in the trial of Israeli spies, freezing Iran's assets, and the downing of the Iranian Airbus passenger plane. I also praised Hezbollah Lebanon’s success in expelling Israel from southern Lebanon and urged the Palestinians to take lessons from this. Before the sermon, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, delivered a speech in Persian, reading from a prepared text, and gave an account of the Islamic Resistance's victories in southern Lebanon.

A group of people in Abadan held a march today in support of the regime and in opposition to the rioters.

Mr. [Mohsen] Doagoo, [the Friday prayer leader of Shemiran], referred to Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad] Khatami’s government as a "national disaster" during his Friday sermon in Shemiran, addressing the ambiguities surrounding political development. A statement was circulated in Qom by clerical students and scholars, demanding the prosecution of Mr. [Ataollah] Mohajerani [Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance] and the impeachment of Mr. Khatami.

The challenges surrounding Mr. Khatami’s trip to Germany and the associated opposition and concerns have been widely discussed in foreign media and have now reached domestic outlets as well. The German government’s temporary suspension of the Schengen Agreement—which mandates open borders between European countries for travelers—has drawn significant attention and reflects the German government’s deep concerns about the widespread opposition to Mr. Khatami’s visit in Germany.

At noon, all the children and grandchildren were gathered. Fa'ezeh was expressing her satisfaction with her trip to Australia.