Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - July 8, 2000 - Tensions at the University Dormitory and Student Protests, Allegedly Involving Nationalists, Religious Nationalists, and the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO

After numerous consultations and deliberations, the general policies regarding the centralization of judicial authority were ultimately removed from the agenda of the Expediency Council.

Meeting with Ayatollah Ibrahim Amini and Criticism of the Recent Statement from the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom

Ayatollah Ibrahim Amini visited, and he criticized the recent statement issued by the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom. We discussed the upcoming Assembly of Experts meeting and the activation of the investigative group under Article 111 of the Constitution. He also raised concerns regarding the next presidential election.

Meeting with Shapour Marhaba, Former Representative of Astara

In the afternoon, Mr. Shapour Marhaba, the former representative of Astara, visited. He expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the Guardian Council allowed his rival, who he claimed had an anti-revolutionary background, to run for office. He requested assistance in securing a job.

Visit from Seyyed Javad Eftekhariyan, a Former Classmate of Ayatollah Khomeini

Seyyed Javad Eftekhariyan, a former classmate of Ayatollah Khomeini, visited. He expressed grievances regarding Sheikh Mehdi Haeri, the prayer leader of Masjid-e-Arq, who had removed him from his bookstore in the mosque. He sought assistance in securing capital to continue his publishing work. He was accompanied by another cleric, Mr. Feizollahi, who sought financial support for housing and agricultural activities.

Tensions at the University Dormitory and Student Protests

Today, a group of students gathered in front of the University of Tehran, marking the anniversary of the dormitory incident on July 8, 1999. They clashed with police, and the confrontations continued for hours, causing considerable damage. Several protesters were arrested. The demonstrators shouted harsh slogans against the leadership, the Basij, the Revolutionary Guard, and the heads of the three branches of government. It appears that the protests were fueled by nationalist-religious groups, with anti-revolutionary elements and the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) also playing a role, as indicated by the slogans.