Memories of Akbar Hashemi - January 16, 2001 - Meeting and Quotation from Hassan Khalilian Indicating the Negative Views of Qom's Religious Authorities Regarding Mohammad Khatami's Candidacy

A meeting with Masoud Safari to discuss further assistance for journalists who have recently encountered problems, been detained, or lost their jobs, and to convey the thanks of the family of Morteza Firouzi Niaki, the former editor of Tehran Times. I previously wrote about the allegations against him and the efforts to save him from execution, ultimately succeeding with the assistance of Mohammad Khatami, Akbar Hashemi, and Sheikh Mohammad Yazdi, along with Ayatollah Khamenei’s approval, leading to his release from a finalized execution sentence. The request from Kourosh Nikakhtar, the would-be assassin of Hashemi on February 1, 1994, who was saved from execution through my note to the court and later granted clemency to be released from prison.

A meeting with Mohammad Mehdi Abdokhodai, where a typographical error mistakenly referred to him as Mohammad Hadi, along with a group of members of the Fadaiyan Islam organization, and my refusal to accept their invitation to participate in the Novab Safavi ceremony in Qaemshahr.

A meeting with Hassan Khalilian, where he conveyed the negative opinions of Qom’s religious authorities regarding Mohammad Khatami's candidacy for reelection.

A meeting with Dr. Seyed Mahmoud Tabatabai, who requested to prevent the election of Dr. Mohammad Reza Zafarqandi as the head of the Medical System Organization and to elect Dr. Alireza Noori for this position, which Dr. Noori had previously mentioned during his meeting with Hashemi. Nevertheless, Seyed Mohammad Khatami appointed Dr. Zafarqandi to this position.

A meeting with Sheikh Mohammad Hassan Rahimian and the current managers of the Martyrs Foundation.

Complete Daily Report:

Mr. [Masoud] Safari, [a journalist], came to visit. He requested my assistance for journalists who have encountered problems and also conveyed the gratitude of Mr. Morteza Firouzi, [the former editor of Tehran Times]. Additionally, he asked for help from [Kourosh] Nikakhtar, [the assailant from 1993], who is seeking my assistance for his release from prison; he attempted to assassinate me at Imam Khomeini's shrine and was sentenced to death but was saved from execution due to my clemency.

A group from the [Fadaiyan] Islam came to visit. Mr. [Mohammad Hadi] Abdokhodai spoke about the virtues of Mr. [Seyed Mojtaba] Navab [Safavi] and recited the Quran in the style of Navab. I also spoke about the courage and clarity of the Fadaiyan and emphasized that they should remain active today. They insisted that I attend the memorial for the martyrs of the Fadaiyan in Qaemshahr, which I declined.

Mr. [Hassan] Khalilian, an advisor to the Minister of Interior, came. He mentioned that he had recently met with the religious authorities in Qom, and the majority believe that Mr. [Seyed Mohammad] Khatami should not run for the [presidential] election again. He conveyed their opinion to Mr. Khatami and criticized the government's performance in cultural, economic, and political matters, stating that he had been nominated for the governorship of Qom but did not accept due to current conditions.

Dr. Mahmoud Tabatabai, [the head of Shahid Tajrish Hospital], came. He reported that the Supreme Council of the Medical Organization had proposed Dr. [Mohammad Reza] Zafarqandi, Dr. [Alireza] Noori, and Dr. [Shahabuddin] Sadr for the presidency to Mr. Khatami, and that Mr. Khatami would likely appoint the first nominee, who is not a moderate. He asked for my assistance in appointing Mr. Noori.

In the afternoon, the managers of the Martyrs Foundation and a number of clerics came for a ceremony honoring the martyrs of the clergy in Tehran.

Mr. [Mohammad Hassan] Rahimian, [head of the Martyrs Foundation], reported that the clergy has lost more martyrs compared to other groups in society. The families of clerics have lost six times more martyrs than non-clerical families. I spoke about the greatness and value of martyrs and the leading role of the clergy in charitable causes and the enmity of imperialism towards the clergy.

The digital satellite section of my office had encountered issues. Mr. Balochestani came to fix it, noting that crows were landing on the dish on the roof and causing an imbalance when they flew away due to the pressure they exerted.