Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - October 21, 2000 - Hashemi's Account of the Issuance of Fatwas by Ayatollah Khamenei on the Apostasy Ruling Contrary to Ayatollah Khomeini's Views Regarding the Death Sentence of Hassan Yousefi Ashkouri

The visit of Seyyed Mohammad Jahromi and reports on elections and reports against Seyyed Mohammad Khatami.

A significant meeting with Masih Mohajeri as part of his ongoing political efforts and consultations.

Mohajeri expressed dissatisfaction with Ayatollah Khamenei's indecisiveness against opponents, and he brought a statement from the Freedom Movement addressed to Hashemi, claiming it was a direct response to the statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and a denunciation of them.

However, the most crucial part of this meeting, as previously discussed in Abdi Media, involves the issuance of Ayatollah Khamenei's fatwa regarding the apostasy ruling against Hassan Yousefi Ashkouri, which was contrary to Ayatollah Khomeini's position in Tahrir al-Wasilah. This was communicated to Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the Special Prosecutor for the Clergy, who later, in conjunction with the objections from Yousefi Ashkouri and his lawyer, Sheikh Barzegar, protested the ruling issued by Judge Sheikh Mohammad Salimi. The ruling was subsequently converted to imprisonment by Judge Sheikh Ali Razini.

Full Entry of the Day:

Mr. Seyyed Mohammad Jahromi, the Executive Deputy of the Guardian Council, came by. He reported on the administrative organization of the Council and discussed the upcoming presidential and mid-term parliamentary elections, as well as the computerization of vote counting. He mentioned that a group of individuals is currently compiling unfulfilled promises made by President Seyyed Mohammad Khatami.

Mr. Hamid Reza Haj Babayi, a representative from Hamadan, visited and stated that they have formed a coalition of various right-wing, independent, and leftist groups in the parliament to coordinate against the reformists. The effects of this coalition were evident in the no-confidence vote against Mr. Nasratollah Jahangird, the ministerial candidate for the Ministry of Post, Telegraph, and Telephone, as well as in today's vote on the credentials of Messrs. Gholamali Haddad Adel and Seyyed Ali Akbar Mohtashami. He requested that I recommend cooperation with the Kargozaran (Engineers) Party.

Mr. Masih Mohajeri, advisor to the President and editor of the newspaper Jomhouri Islami, arrived. He criticized the leadership's indecisiveness against opponents and brought a statement from the Freedom Movement, which he claimed was a direct response to the Supreme Leader's remarks at the gathering of Imam Ali's (PBUH) supporters. He mentioned that the leadership's office informed Mr. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei that, according to the Supreme Leader's fatwa, Mr. Hassan Yousefi Ashkouri is not an apostate, and thus the court, despite having issued a death sentence, is expected to rectify this in the appeal.

In the afternoon, Mr. Seyyed Mohammad Baqir Hakim, the head of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, visited. He expressed dissatisfaction with Mr. Kamal Kharrazi's trip to Iraq, stating that he was not kept in the loop. He also lamented the opposition from Iraqis residing in Iran against him and the Supreme Council.

Brigadier General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, also arrived. He believes that Kharrazi's trip to Iraq was beneficial for Iraq and detrimental to Iran, stating that no gains were made. He provided explanations about the Palestinian Intifada and stated that it would continue. He considers Iran's actions insufficient and suggested an increase in financial, military, and propaganda support.

The final declaration from the extraordinary Arab League summit in Cairo has been published; although it contains positive points regarding relations with Israel and financial assistance, it has been condemned by the leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who called it weak. Nonetheless, it is more realistic than expected by some. The Intifada has intensified, and demonstrations against the declaration have taken place. Iftah and Sara, the daughter of Fati, returned from their Umrah pilgrimage.