Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - November 15, 2000 - Hashemi's Account of Ayatollah Khamenei's Remarks and Interpretation of Dissatisfaction with the Performance of President Mohammad Khatami's Government

Following the Meeting and Invitation of Major General Montazeri with Hashemi, Attendance at the Faculty of Science and Technology of Farabi and the Sahafaja Ceremony

Meeting with Lotfali Iavoozi and Members of Student Islamic Associations of Universities

Attendance at Imam Sadiq University and Participation in the Assembly of the Teachers of the Seminary and Visiting Sheikh Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani

Hashemi's Account of Ayatollah Khamenei's Remarks and Interpretation of Dissatisfaction with the Performance of President Mohammad Khatami's Government

News of the Passing of Fatemeh Hashemi Behramani, Akbar Hashemi's Sister, Upon Returning from a Trip to Mashhad at Tehran Airport

Full Entry of the Day:

In the morning, we went to the Faculty of Science and Technology of Farabi in Luoyan, which belongs to the Army Intelligence Protection. After a military reception ceremony, I visited the exhibition showcasing their technical and scientific works. I then proceeded to the field. After the ceremony, I listened to the report from Amir [Abbas] Salimi, the commander of the faculty, and Major General Montazeri, the commander of the Army Intelligence Protection Organization, followed by performances, award ceremonies, and the recitation of the Quran and oath. I spoke about the role of the armed forces and the university. They then held a parade.

I arrived at my office at 11:30 AM. As usual, I worked and rested until 4 PM. Members of the moderate student movement came to see me. Mr. [Lotfali] Iavoozi, [Secretary-General of the Union of Islamic Associations of Students and Graduates], reported on their activities. I praised moderation in my remarks and stated that extremism is harmful and disruptive.

In the evening, while on my way home, I went to Imam Sadiq University to attend the meeting of the Assembly of the Teachers of the Qom Seminary and to inquire about Mr. [Mohammad Reza] Mahdavi Kani, [President of Imam Sadiq University], who had recently been hospitalized due to a prior illness. The veins that had been operated on earlier had reopened. The council of regions was approved, and I returned home after dinner.

The Leader has traveled to the Markazi Province and expressed dissatisfaction with the cultural performance of the government in his remarks, which has been interpreted in foreign media as opposition to President [Mohammad] Khatami's administration.

The summit of the leaders of the Islamic Conference Organization ended a day earlier than scheduled. A weak resolution concerning Palestine was issued, and the remarks from some countries, such as Iran, Iraq, [Saudi Arabia], and Syria, were strong; however, due to pressure from Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan, no effective decisions were made.

At 9 PM, Mohsen informed me that Fatemeh, my sister, had suffered a stroke upon returning from Mashhad at [Mehrabad] Tehran Airport, and her condition was not good. A little later, my brother Mohammad reported that she had passed away; I was very saddened. Iffat and the children went to her house. I slept poorly.