Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - January 24, 2000 - Meeting with Ebrahim Raisi, Head of the General Inspection Organization

Meeting with the Central Council of the Islamic Workers' Welfare Party with Hashemi.

Meeting with Ghodratollah Heshmatian, a former commander of the General Staff of the Armed Forces and former member of Parliament, to thank Hashemi for his assistance in securing his candidacy.

Meeting with Nourani, a member of the Assembly of Experts, along with Dr. Amidi Tavasoli, seeking Hashemi's support in expanding their traditional medicine hospital.

Meeting with Commanders Seyyed Yahya Safavi and Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr to discuss their electoral analysis.

Meeting with Mohsen Doagoo, the Friday prayer leader of Lavasan, who criticized the reformist government's policies.

Meeting with Mohammad Reza Rahimi, former governor of Kurdistan and later first vice president in Ahmadinejad's government, who complained about the judiciary and sought a transfer to the Expediency Council.

Meeting with Ebrahim Raisi, head of the General Inspection Organization.

Report from Fatemeh Hashemi on the financial situation of the Moderation and Development Party.

Detailed Translation:

The Central Council of the Islamic Workers' Welfare Party came, providing a report on their programs and objectives. I encouraged them. They are aligned with the Free Thinkers Forum (Chakad Azad Andishan). Mr. [Ghodratollah] Heshmatian came, thanking me for my assistance in securing his candidacy.

Mr. [Mostafa] Nourani, a member of the [Assembly of] Experts, along with Dr. Amidi Tavasoli, came seeking support for establishing a hospital focused on herbal medicine treatment. They have a simple approach to research and endowments for herbal medicine.

Mr. [Rahim] Safavi and [Mohammad Bagher] Zolghadr, the commander and deputy commander of the IRGC, came, thanking me for my participation in the upcoming elections and my recent Friday sermon. They presented a survey of public opinion regarding candidates, predicting that the next Parliament will be evenly split between left, right, and moderate factions. They also expressed concern over the depth of the left-wing faction's schemes.

In the afternoon, Mr. [Mohsen] Doagoo, [Friday prayer leader of Shemiranat], came to discuss his activities in Lavasanat. He is the Friday prayer leader there. He criticized [President Mohammad] Khatami's policies, saying he had sent a letter to Khatami through [Masih Mohajeri, a presidential advisor], raising concerns about the government's slow pace in reconstruction and the sharp attacks from Khatami’s supporters. He suggested forming a moderate and independent faction to counter the left and right.

Mr. [Mohammad Reza] Rahimi, former governor of Kurdistan, came, complaining about the judiciary cutting off his salary and asking for a position in the Expediency Discernment Council. Mr. [Seyyed Ebrahim] Raisi, head of the General Inspection Organization, came, expressing appreciation for my Friday sermon and my participation in the elections. He sought advice on joining the Combatant Clergy Association (Jame'eh-ye Rouhaniyat-e Mobarez) and criticized the government's lack of tolerance for criticism, despite their claims of supporting freedom and pluralism.

When I returned home, Fatemeh had just returned from a meeting of the Moderation and Development Party and spoke about the financial struggles of this newly established party.