Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – June 12, 2003

We went to Shahr-e Rey at eight in the morning to give a speech at the Congress of Hazrat Abdolazim. A large number of Qom scholars had also come. Part of the Leader's remarks from his meeting with the members of the Congress headquarters was read out [by Mr. Mohammadi-Golpayegani, the head of the Leader's office]. Mr. [Mohammad Mohammadi] Rey-Shahri gave a welcome speech and thanked me for my contributions to the development of the Astan (shrine). Mr. [Mehdi] Mehrizi, the secretary of the scientific committee, gave a report on the Congress's work. I gave a detailed speech about the character of Hazrat Abdolazim and the brilliant historical records of Rey, and the role it played in the past struggles of the clergy, and I made some proposals, including resolving ambiguities about certain aspects of his life.

After my speech, the Qom scholars gathered and thanked me for my help in solving the problem of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Qom. Mr. Seyed Javad Golpayegani requested help for their own hospital. After visiting the shrines, with Mr. [Mohammad Mohammadi] Rey-Shahri accompanying us, we visited the Burhan School, which has been rebuilt, and the guesthouse and library.

I arrived at the Koshk office at noon. I worked there until the evening, including reviewing the text of the "Farhang-e Quran" (Encyclopedia/Glossary of the Quran). The night before last and last night, groups of students protested at the university campus against the privatization of public universities, and there were minor clashes with the police and plainclothes officers. Some local residents joined them. Foreign media are exaggerating.

The Ministry of Intelligence had reported to the Leader's office that the MKO (hypocrites) had planned an operation to shoot down the Leader's helicopter on June 4th (14 Khordad) when he was traveling to the Imam's shrine. So, the Leader went by car. He told me this himself.

Democrats in the US Congress have proposed an investigation into the White House's deceptions regarding Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, but the Republicans have opposed it.

Today in Iraq, a US F-16 fighter jet and an Apache helicopter were shot down. In Palestine today, Israel also martyred and wounded a number of people and explicitly announced that it would also kill Mr. Ahmed Yassin, the leader of Hamas. The US has condemned Israel for these crimes in a soft tone, while the European Union has condemned the Palestinians, and [Yasser] Arafat has also condemned the martyrdom operation in Jerusalem. The roadmap plan is effectively stalled, and each side is blaming the other.

In the evening, Mehdi brought his newborn son. I recited the Adhan and Iqama in his ears and gave him a Quran as a gift. They have named him "Yasin." It had been suggested that they name him "Farid."