Memories of Akbar Hashemi - May 15, 2002

I gave a comprehensive speech about the criteria of value assessment in Islam for humans - faith, jihad, knowledge, and service to creation - and emphasized the necessity of constructive action to create prosperity, solve problems, utilize scientific forces, and prevent brain drain.

Hezbollah in Arak gathered in front of Arak University, preventing the meeting of the Office for Strengthening Unity from taking place. In Khorramabad, they also prevented the formation of the dialogue of civilizations conference at the university.

Full text of the daily report:

I went to the University of Science and Technology in the morning for the opening of the second festival of Khatam [= Servants of the Islamic Revolution, Development, and People], which was organized to honor the graduates of this university who have been significant in serving the revolution, the people, and scientific innovation. Dr. [Seyyed Mohammad] Shahrestani, the president of the university, reported that six thousand out of thirty thousand graduates throughout the university's lifetime have filled out forms for cooperation. Awards were given to 18 individuals.

I gave a detailed speech about the criteria of Islamic value assessment for human beings - faith, jihad, knowledge, and service to humanity - and emphasized the necessity of constructive movement to create prosperity, solve problems, utilize scientific forces, and prevent brain drain. I broke ground for the [female] dormitory building and visited the university's treasure trove of resources.

I went to the [Kushk] office. I studied until the evening and used the pool. In political circles, there is a discussion about the emptiness of Mr. [Seyed Mohammad] Khatami's, [the president's], speeches in some cities of Mazandaran.

Hezbollah in Arak, by gathering in front of Arak University, prevented the holding of a meeting of the Office for Consolidation of Unity, which has been somewhat resolved through the intervention and mediation of the Friday prayer leader. In Khorramabad, they also prevented the formation of a dialogue meeting on civilizations at the university. The Friday prayer leader and the committee of Mr. [Seyyed Kazem Hosseini] expressed concern about the possibility of the events from two years ago repeating.

Mr. Ghodrat Alikhani, [representative of Bouin-Zahra and member of the Central Council of the Combatant Clergy Association], has given a harsh interview against the Participation Party and Mr. [Mohsen] Mirdamadi, accusing them of inciting chaos to maintain power and criticizing their inconsistency in positions regarding America and... The pressure from America on Russia to prevent the sale of nuclear power plants and weapons to Iran has increased ahead of President George Bush's trip to Russia, and the Russian parliament has criticized the agreement to limit nuclear weapons with America, calling it a source of failure for Russia. [Gennady Zyuganov], the leader of the Communist Party of Russia, referred to George Bush as the head of the war party rather than the president of the United States.

It was revealed in America that the FBI had provided information to President Bush about the possibility of American planes being hijacked a few days before the events of September 11, and he did not take any action. Representatives of the Democratic Party placed the White House in a dilemma with this disclosure and have called for the publication of the CIA report. The White House claims that the information was general.

In England, newspapers are putting pressure on the government, referring to recent operations, asking why the joint operations of the USA and the UK in Afghanistan are fruitless. They say that in eastern Afghanistan, there is a war that sees no hostility and brings disgrace to the West.

The sanctions on Iraq have been extended for another six months, and the military threats from America continue. Israel conducts daily raids in Palestinian cities to arrest Palestinian fighters, leaving a number of martyrs and injured behind. [Yasser] Arafat, [the head of the Palestinian Authority], has promised reforms in his administration, which is interpreted as compliance with the orders of America and Israel.

China and Taiwan have signed a cooperation agreement for gas extraction from the Taiwan Strait, and Taiwan has sent a spacecraft into space. The far-right LPF party secured second place in the Dutch parliamentary elections. The success of the right-wing parties in the Netherlands, France, Spain, and Portugal is significant.