Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 19, 1989

After praying and exercising and listening to domestic and foreign news, they brought breakfast. Mr. [Hadi] Nejad Hosseinian [Minister of Heavy Industries] came and talked about the problems of the industry. I participated in the supply council of [East Azerbaijan] province; They didn't have anything important except to report their situation.

I participated in the meeting of the Commanders of the Corps [31] on Ashura. From there, we moved to the tractor factory. On both sides of the streets, going back and forth, a group of Tabriz people lined up and expressed their feelings.

Mr. [Mustafa] Karbalai, CEO of the complex, gave an explanation at the factory site. Then we visited the casting, forging, machining, assembly and engine manufacturing halls; It is interesting and important. Then the managers of the complex said the intractable problems of the industry, which really hinder the development of industries; We decided to take action to fix them.

I gave a short speech to the staff in the restaurant hall and we returned at half past one. On the way, we visited Golzar Shahada [Valley of Mercy]. Lunch was spent at the governor's office. Then we went to Jame Mosque to participate in the meeting of martyrs' families - which were very many. Two daughters of martyrs read essays and poems, and a poetess from the family of martyrs, from Bileh Sawar, read two very strong and interesting Persian and Turkish poems. I gave them coins.

We went to the airport. I had an interview and we flew to Urmia with an official escort. In the air, we saw the view of the bridge over Lake Urmia. I received a warm welcome at Urmia airport and had an interview. Then we moved to the governorate. It is also raining. They said there has been a drought for fifteen years and people are very happy today.

People's welcome on the streets and on both sides of the road was very warm and crowded, and women regularly threw flowers at cars and shouted friendly slogans. [Mr. Gholamreza Hosni] Friday imam and [Mr. Zain al-Abidin Atai] the governor were in my car as usual.

We arrived at the governor's office at night. After Maghrib and Isha prayers, they gave explanations about the natural conditions of the province, rivers and plains. I participated in the gathering of the clergy. Dinner was served and greetings were said and I spoke briefly.

A group of Sunni youth from Hamza's camp had a birthday. They performed very well, but because some holy scholars of the city did not agree, the video was not taken. Then I visited Hamza's painting exhibition; They gave a gift. I came to my room to rest. I wrote today's diary and caught the news and slept.