Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - November 26, 1999 - Formation of the Moderation and Development Party with Fatemeh Hashemi as a Founding Member

Fatemeh Hashemi's report on her European trip, where she attended a family conference hosted by a Christian sect known as the Mormons.

While the Mormons oppose population control, Sheikh Ali Akbar Rashad presented a report on population control in Iran.

Fatemeh Hashemi also met Benazir Bhutto during her trip to London, where she was seeking medical treatment for Ashraf Marashi. Additionally, Fatemeh Hashemi was involved in a car accident on her return, resulting in injuries that required ongoing treatment, which will be detailed in future memoirs.

I spent much of today exploring the surroundings of the camp [Bisheh-Kola] and inspecting the buildings and facilities. Mr. Afshari explained the plan to expand the airstrip to accommodate larger planes. Their main issue is the road connecting the villages to the sea, but more important is the lack of necessity for such an expansion.

Fatemeh returned from her European trip last night and came straight here from Tehran, arriving near dawn. She said she had given a speech at the family conference in Geneva, which was organized by the Mormons, a committed Christian group known for their activism. She mentioned that Mr. [Ali Akbar] Rashad, [President of the Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought], who was also present from Iran, had not realized that his report on Iran's population control policy was at odds with the conference's objectives, as the Mormons oppose population control.

She also traveled to London for further treatment of Ashraf Khanum [my sister-in-law]. There, she met with Benazir Bhutto [former Prime Minister of Pakistan], who expressed her satisfaction with the trial of [Mohammad] Nawaz Sharif. Bhutto sought Iran's mediation to secure the release of her husband [Asif Ali Zardari] from prison and expressed hope for her return to Pakistan's premiership.

As our group gradually returned to Tehran, it was arranged for me to fly back. However, I was informed that the plane would not be arriving, either due to weather conditions or a dispute between the pilot and the pavilion. We decided to drive back. The road was very congested, and the journey took four hours. We made a brief stop at a roadside rest area.

When I arrived home, I was informed that Fatemeh’s car, which had left before us, had been involved in an accident a few kilometers past Amol, though fortunately, no one was seriously harmed. It turned out that my guards were aware of the incident but had kept it from me. However, Effat [my wife] overheard the radio communications and immediately went to Fatemeh’s house, where she learned that Fatemeh had been injured and taken to Mehrad Hospital. Effat called me from the hospital and said that Fatemeh had a fractured pelvis and a dislocation, which had been treated surgically. Thankfully, the situation was not more severe. Sara, [Fatemeh's daughter], was also slightly injured. I am now waiting for Effat to return and provide more details.

The Moderation and Development Party was officially announced today, with Fatemeh listed as one of its founding members. Effat came home late, very upset. Dr. [Seyed Mahmoud] Tabatabaei called to explain Fatemeh's condition.