Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – June 4, 1983

Until nine-thirty in the morning, I studied at home and read the reports. The representatives and staff of the Majles met with the Imam. Before the general meeting, I went to visit the Imam. The Imam sweetly complained about my praise of him yesterday in the Friday prayer, saying that it might make him conceited; but he was pleased that I had exonerated Ahmad Aqa and the household from influencing him and shaping his views. I asked about what Mr. Shirazi [the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad] had said, that the Imam had given permission to set a ceiling on privately owned agricultural land—for example, one hundred hectares; he said that he had not said such a thing and did not see the necessity for it. However, he said that it might be possible to take it through Article 49 [of the Constitution]. Regarding Article 49 as well, he was concerned that the wealthy might withdraw their money from the banks; it was decided that we would send the bill to him for consultation. Then we attended the general meeting. I spoke briefly, and the Imam spoke at length. Some people who had been unable to attend because of the large number of people at the first meeting came again; at my request, the Imam prayed for them; it turned out well. At noon, Hamid Lahouti and Fa'ezeh came. Yesterday, on the road to Qom, they had encountered and argued with Revolutionary Guard personnel, who had detained them until midnight; they were very upset, and their mother had been even more upset since last night. It was decided that I would look into it and see who was at fault?

I spoke by telephone with Dr. Velayati [Minister of Foreign Affairs] so that they could consult and give their opinion about Sayyed Mohammad-Hossein Hakim coming to Iran. I also told Mr. Hakim to contact the Foreign Ministry. In the afternoon, a young man who had invented a machine gun came. I encouraged him; I had previously told the Ministry of Defense to follow up on his design, and they had done so, but slowly. Several Revolutionary Guards from Rafsanjan who were guarding the Imam's residence came and complained about the conduct of the commanders. At night, Mr. Asgaroladi [Minister of Commerce] called, and we discussed the time and manner of holding the questioning of one hundred representatives. Several calls came from Rafsanjan, asking for help in retaining Mr. [Sheikh Mohammad] Hashemian in the court [Islamic Revolutionary Court of Rafsanjan County] and as Friday prayer leader, from which he had recently resigned in protest because of pressure from the Supreme Judicial Council, and they were also opposed to appointing the person who had been assigned as the Friday prayer leader of Kashku.