Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - January 8, 2001 - Significant Report by Massih Mahajari on Sheikh Ahmad Ahmadi's Efforts to Persuade Seyyed Mohammad Khatami Not to Run in the 2001 Presidential Elections and to Replace Him with Mir-Hossein Mousavi; Hashemi's An

Participation in the Congress Commemorating Ayatollah Burojirdi and Allameh Shaltout

Significant Report by Massih Mahajari on Sheikh Ahmad Ahmadi's Efforts to Persuade Seyyed Mohammad Khatami Not to Run in the 2001 Presidential Elections and to Replace Him with Mir-Hossein Mousavi; Hashemi's Analysis of Political Disagreements with Ayatollah Khamenei

Complete Daily Entry:

We went to the Azadi Hotel for the congress honoring Ayatollah [Seyyed Hussein] Burojirdi and Allameh [Mahmoud] Shaltout. A group of Egyptian figures also participated. I delivered an extensive speech on Ayatollah Burojirdi's objectives in strengthening seminaries and promoting Shia-Sunni unity, the ways to implement these goals, and his innovations, highlighting that he acted directly against the colonial powers' desire to weaken the clergy and divide the Islamic world. I also visited the exhibition of works by Ayatollah Burojirdi and Allameh Shaltout and held discussions with the grandchildren of Ayatollah Burojirdi.

I worked in my office until the evening. In the afternoon, Mr. Massih Mahajari, [advisor to the president and managing director of the daily newspaper Jomhouri Eslami], came to see me. He said that Dr. [Ahmad] Ahmadi, [a member of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution], and several others were attempting to persuade Mr. [Seyyed Mohammad] Khatami not to run for the [2001 presidential elections] and to nominate Engineer [Mir-Hossein] Mousavi instead. They had asked him to speak with Mr. Mousavi, and he did so. Although Mr. Mousavi initially declined, there is a possibility he might accept if Mr. Khatami does not run. He mentioned that their view is that you and Mr. Mousavi can save the country. He wanted to know if I could run, and I confirmed that I would not, adding that Mr. Mousavi might face disagreements with the leadership, similar to those during his premiership.

After a long period of the Helmand River's water being cut off and not reaching Zabol, it has started flowing again due to recent rains, bringing joy, vitality, and hope to the deprived people of Zabol.