Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – November 23, 1987

I woke up in the morning and did not sleep again. I took a bath. We had breakfast and went to the airport. An interview was held at the airport and we flew to Mashhad with the Khorasan representatives on a C-130 plane. We arrived in Mashhad around nine in the morning. After the welcome ceremony, we went to Astan Quds and visited the holy shrine. I gave a short speech.

There was a difference of opinion about the place of gathering of people. One opinion was that it was the imam's courtyard, and others said that it was outside the courtyard. We checked, their opinion was better and in practice it turned out that the court did not have the capacity of all the people. The gathering was magnificent. I gave a long speech.

There were too many people. They said there were six hundred thousand people present. The end of the crowd was not found; From in front of Imam's courtyard along Tehran street.

We prayed the afternoon and evening prayers under my leadership. Lunch was served. There were many people. We took a break and contacted the military commanders. We have made progress.

In the evening, the students of Mashhad came. I gave a speech to them. In the evening, the scholars and imams of the Jumma Jamaat of Khorasan came. We had dinner with them and I spoke for them.

The administrative council meeting was scheduled for tomorrow at the governor's office. Mr. Tabasi was unhappy and considered it disrespectful, so I said that the meeting should be at my place of residence. The governor was displeased; He came and complained. Some representatives came to say that the meeting should be held in the Governor's office, and some said the opposite according to their line. I also spoke with the members of the Jihad Council [Khorasan Province Construction]. I rested earlier than usual last night.