Memories of Akbar Hashemi - February 19, 2002 - Meeting with Deputy Directors and the Head of the Strategic Research Center Regarding the Agenda to Establish an Internet Network and Activities of the Specialized Strategic Journal

Meeting with Deputy Directors and the Head of the Strategic Research Center Regarding the Agenda to Establish an Internet Network and Activities of the Specialized Strategic Journal

Meeting with Sheikh Mahmoud Mohammadi Iraqi and Managers of the Islamic Propagation Organization

Meeting with Sheikh Mohammad Ali Shar'i and Report on the Affairs of Fatemieh Medical Sciences University and Complaints Against Relevant Government Officials

Full Text of the Daily Journal:

We held a meeting with the deputy directors of the [Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Discernment Council]. Most of the time was spent discussing the country's situation, the elections, and potential solutions. We heard a report from Dr. [Hassan] Rouhani, [the head of the Strategic Research Center], about the establishment of the center's internet network and the Strategic Journal.

In the afternoon, the directors of the Imam Ali (PBUH) Year Programs and the [Commemoration of] Ghadir Headquarters came. Mr. [Mahmoud] Mohammadi Iraqi, [the head of the Islamic Propagation Organization], provided updates on ongoing projects and requested my participation in the international congress for Imam Ali (PBUH) and the congress commemorating Allameh Amini. I delivered a speech about Ali (PBUH) and his emphasis on comprehensive justice. In a private session, I mentioned that the programs have mostly been theoretical and promotional, and it would have been appropriate to have practical programs for implementing the model of Ali's (PBUH) governance. They provided the website address for Imam Ali (PBUH), which they have established. I checked it online that night; it is well done and available in Persian, Arabic, and English.

Mr. [Mohammad Ali] Shar'i, [the head of the Women's Seminaries], visited. He reported on the current and completed activities in the [Qom] seminary and requested assistance for obtaining a loan for Fatemieh Medical Sciences University. He expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Science regarding provocations related to the Fatemieh students.

Several countries have condemned the U.S. and U.K. attacks on Iraq, and the U.S. has asked Turkey to cooperate with it in the plan to overthrow Saddam. The issue of Bahrain is widely discussed in global media. Ninety-eight percent of the population has voted for a constitutional monarchy, but many observers believe that, given the Shia majority in Bahrain, it will be difficult to hold free elections for the parliament. Clashes in central and northeastern Afghanistan between the Taliban and the United Islamic Front have intensified, with the Taliban regaining control of Bamiyan city.

Iffat attended the collective wedding ceremony for students anonymously, which is planned to take place for 14,000 couples over one week; she has criticisms regarding their program.