Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – November 21, 1987

After prayer, we went to Mehrabad airport. The representatives of Mazandaran province also came. We all went to Sari with a C-130 military plane, because the Sari airport is not equipped, the Shaheen plane could not land.

We went to the governor's office and after having tea we went to the IRGC headquarters. Friday imams and congregations of Mazandaran province had gathered. A reception was held in the center mosque of Sepah. Mr. Nurullah [Tabarsi, head of Mazandaran War Support Headquarters] said welcome and I gave a detailed speech to the audience and explained the current situation and war plans.

At eleven o'clock in the morning, we left for Gorgan by car. On the way, we passed the cities of Neka, Behshahr, Golugah and Kordkoi. In places, people gathered on the road and expressed their feelings. The whole path is green and green. We passed through the fields and citrus orchards. We entered Gorgan at half past twelve. We passed through the rows of greeters by car. We went to the Imam's school, which was recently built by Mr. [Mohammed Kazem] Normfidi, the Imam's representative in Gorgan. The students gave a magnificent welcome. We sat in the veranda of the school, which was furnished and tidy. Scholars, students and personalities were gathered. The noon and evening prayers were read under my leadership. Lunch was served. I took a short break at the school. I listened to the news and called Mr. Mohsen Rezaei on the phone and asked about the situation of the Nasr 8 operation. He is satisfied and said that they repelled the enemy's counterattack well.

At three o'clock we went to the dome by helicopter. We had a twenty minute flight. A group of companions also left by car. Thirty Basiji troops from Gorgan, Gonbad and Aliabad maneuvered in the city stadium. They expressed passionate feelings. Sunni Friday imam Mr. Talai and Shia Imam of Gonbad Mr. Emadi said welcome and performed the ceremony and I spoke for the people.

In the evening, we returned to Gorgan by helicopter. On the way back and forth, it was evident under the feet of cultivated and agricultural lands. We prayed Maghrib and Isha prayers in Imam's school and a group of female students came. I spoke to them about the virtue of the female seeker. We went to the place of worship. They were a magnificent community of Gorgan people. We had dinner at Imam's school. We were supposed to go to Sari to sleep, but we didn't go, and I slept at school at night.