Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - November 21, 2000 - Continuation of the Trial of Participants Known as the Berlin Conference and Emphasis on Akbar Ganji

Hashemi's trip to Qom and participation in the Congress on the Discourse of Mahdism and Pilgrimage, along with negotiations with local religious and governmental officials.

Full Entry of the Day:

We set off early in the morning towards Qom, arriving at 8:30 AM. We headed directly to the shrine of [Hazrat Masoumeh (SA)]. Upon entering the courtyard, I was warmly welcomed by officials. During the pilgrimage, the enthusiastic chants of the visiting crowd echoed. I recited the Quran at the grave of my mother, [Mahbibi Safarian]. The pilgrims offered a warm reception. We then proceeded to the Fayzieh School, where I gave a lengthy speech lasting about an hour and a half at the “Discourse on Mahdism” gathering. The attendees expressed their appreciation.

I visited an exhibition of newly published works about [Hazrat Hojjat (AJ)]. I had a brief meeting with the officials. The head of the [Islamic] city council of Qom thanked me for the assistance I provided regarding the revitalization of the Tehran municipality in the project from shrine to shrine [from Hazrat Masoumeh’s shrine to Jamkaran Mosque], mentioning that the issue has been resolved. Mr. [Mohammad] Jafari-Gilani [Head of the Islamic Propaganda Office in Qom] requested that I stay for lunch to discuss Quranic culture and guidance interpretations with the Quranic education group. I suggested they come to Tehran. [Ghorbanali Saadat], the governor of [Qom], joined me in my car on the way back and discussed the situation in Qom, mentioning that household water desalination units have been prepared for public use. He reported efforts to secure funding for the water transfer project from the Dez River branches to the central region.

We arrived back in Tehran at 2:30 PM. I asked for souvenir sweets from Qom to be brought for the guards and office staff. I worked in the office until the evening. The trial of the Berlin Conference attendees, particularly Mr. [Akbar] Ganji, has received significant media coverage today. The United States and Germany have officially supported them. The conflict in Palestine continues, with [Yasser] Arafat [President of the Palestinian Authority] and [Ehud] Barak [Prime Minister of Israel] announcing in the United States that negotiations are not yielding results. Arafat has called for the presence of international armed forces in Palestine to protect the people.