Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – November 24, 1991

We flew from Saadabad to Karaj by helicopter. The governor and representative of Karaj were also there. They explained on the way. We went around Karaj and they introduced the important points of the city and its surroundings. The large towns of Fardis, Mehrshahr, Islamshahr, Azimieh and Hesarak attracted my attention. The huge parking lot of IRGC machines in the south of Karaj seemed very big and wasteful.

We landed in the newly built governor's yard. An official reception was held. Then I participated in the administrative council in the same governorate. The governor explained and drew a clear picture of the situation in Karaj city and asked for help to solve the problems.

It has a population of about one and a half million, which has grown by 11 percent since the revolution until now, and is lagging behind in infrastructure such as water, electricity, education, health, etc., as well as the problem of Islamshahr and the incomplete administrative organization of the city.

Then we participated in the explanation meeting of the gas supply program to the city in the same governorate. The gas supply project for about two hundred thousand families, of which 15 thousand have been prepared today. From there we went to the big city square. I turned on the gas burner. People had a huge gathering around the square. I walked around the square and passed in front of the people. They expressed their feelings very passionately.

We went to Mr. Panahi's house; A family that gave three martyrs [= Akbar, Saeed and Masoud Panahi]. gathered with his other children. The mother of martyrs is a talented speaker, artist and poet. He read one of his poems to us; We encouraged him. I turned on the gas in their house, which was done at the expense of the gas company, and gave them a gift.

From there, I went to the IRGC site and participated in the passionate gathering of people and Basij forces. The reception and military ceremonies, the song and greetings of Imam Juma and the report of the Basij district commander were done. I gave a short speech. We returned to Tehran. I reached my office at half past twelve.

Until four o'clock in the afternoon, prayer, lunch and rest were done. Dr. Velayati [Foreign Affairs Minister] came to report on his trip to Austria and consult and say goodbye to the Soviet Union and [Muslim] republics for a ten-day trip.

I participated in the government meeting. Budget notes for next year are in order. After Maghrib and Isha prayers, I left the meeting to Dr. Habibi and went to Rahbari's house. I gave the Karaj travel report. The request for their access to the parking lot of the IRGC machines in Karaj and their empty warehouses was also raised.

Regarding the ongoing issues of the special court [for spirituality] and the summoning of Mr. [Hossein] Hashemian and [Mortaza] Al-Vairi, we negotiated that it was decided to refrain from summoning Mr. Al-Vairi, because he is not a cleric. The issues of my trip to Senegal, the speech and meeting there, and the continuation of the trip and other discussed issues were discussed. I arrived home at nine o'clock at night. There was no chastity and Yasser was alone.