Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - December 6, 2000 - Opening of the New Building of the Islamic Azad University, Varamin-Pishva, and Visits to Local Sites and Consultations with Officials

Opening of the New Building of the Islamic Azad University, Varamin-Pishva, and Visits to Local Sites and Consultations with Officials

Full Entry of the Day:

Early in the morning, we set out for the inauguration of the new building of the Islamic Azad University in Varamin-Pishva. We arrived at 8:30 AM. I toured various sections of the campus, which covers one million and 90 thousand square meters, with approximately 40 thousand square meters of buildings. Today, 25 thousand square meters, constructed at a cost of two billion tomans, were inaugurated. The university currently has around 10,000 students. Mr. Abdullah Jasebi, the President of the Islamic Azad University, and Engineer Taheri, the director of the Varamin-Pishva unit, provided explanations. I delivered a speech on the importance of establishing the Islamic Azad University, which now accommodates 800,000 students, has 700,000 graduates, 50,000 staff members, six million square meters of buildings, and 450 schools needed by the people. I presented commendation plaques.

We then proceeded to Pishva, where we visited the shrine of Imamzadeh Jafar and engaged with a large and enthusiastic crowd; they were warm and spirited. The Friday prayer leader, governor, member of parliament, and the commander of the Basij welcomed us. I spoke about the significance of the Varamin region, their history, and particularly their status during the 15 Khordad uprising in 1963. The door of the shrine was opened to announce that, with my presence, the area had been cleaned. They expressed gratitude for the assistance I provided during my previous visit for the development of the shrine. I returned to my office and worked until 8:30 PM.

Today, several Palestinians have been martyred and injured, and the Israelis have tightened their blockade, obstructing the delivery of fuel, electricity, and sufficient food supplies to the people. In the United States, supporters of both the Democratic and Republican parties demonstrated today, each claiming victory for their candidate, and the crisis has become more complex.