Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - November 23, 2000 - Meeting and Discussion with the Student Basij Officials of Tehran University and Report by Alireza Zakani

Meeting and Discussion with the Student Basij Officials of Tehran University and Report by Alireza Zakani

Meeting with Shahin Nasiri Nia, World Youth Weightlifting Champion, Seeking Assistance from Hashemi to Import a Car from Dubai

Meeting with Hossein Mahluji, Engaged in Multiple Legal Cases but Ultimately Acquitted, Expressing Readiness to Accept Executive Deputy Position under Hassan Rouhani at the Strategic Research Center

Meeting with Patriarch Marounkhai IV, Global Leader of the Assyrian Church of the East

Hashemi's Account of Efforts to Hijack a Plane Bound for Bandar Abbas, Which Were Thwarted by Airport Security Forces

Full Entry of the Day:

A group of officials from the Student Basij of Tehran University visited. Mr. [Alireza] Zakani, [the head of the Student Basij Organization], explained the upcoming Basij conference for university students, which will be held on Thursday at Shahid Beheshti University. He mentioned that branches have been established in 53 universities and 280 faculties. He stated that the situation in universities has improved over the past few months, and many academics are disillusioned with the radical left's movements. Currently, 55% are indifferent, 10% are leftists, and 20% are supporters of the movements. They sought my opinion regarding the presidential election and the fate of the reforms proposed by the leadership. I replied that the parliament and the government do not believe in the leadership's reform proposals, and I do not think they will succeed in this administration. They presented the conference agenda.

Mr. [Shahin] Nasiri Nia, the world youth weightlifting champion, arrived, accompanied by a Shirazi named Mr. Hashemi. He explained how he injured his hand and was unable to win a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics but is now recovering. He requested assistance for importing a car gifted to him by an Iranian in Dubai, as well as help in securing housing. He mentioned that the same Iranian is willing to build schools and public welfare centers in Shiraz.

Mr. [Hossein] Mahluji, [the former Minister of Mines and Metals], visited. As usual, he expressed his grievances regarding the [General] Inspection Organization and the courts, lamenting the economic situation and the stagnation of construction in the country. He consulted with me about accepting the position of executive deputy at the [Strategic Research] Center of the Expediency Council.

In the evening, Patriarch [Marounkhai IV], the global leader of the Assyrian Church of the East, along with representatives of Armenians and Assyrians and several Iranian priests, came to visit. I inquired about their organization, worship practices, and beliefs. They stated that priests can marry, but bishops cannot. They pray facing the east and people recite prayers five times a day, while priests perform elaborate ceremonies. There are five million Assyrians worldwide, most of whom are in Iraq. Their training center is in Iraq and other locations, while the patriarch himself resides in America. They believe that Jesus Christ will return close to the Day of Resurrection, immediately followed by the resurrection. They requested assistance regarding issues related to blood money and their employment.

Three individuals attempted to hijack a plane bound for Bandar Abbas but were apprehended by security guards. Yesterday, a hijacked Russian plane was taken to Israel, where the hijackers surrendered. It is reported that this was intended to overshadow the news of the upcoming [Foreign Ministers] Conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Doha.