Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi - September 8, 2001 - Hashemi’s Account of the People’s Protest in Sabzevar Against the Geographical Divisions of Khorasan Province

Continuation of Hashemi’s Account of His Trip to Kerman Province and Rafsanjan County

Hashemi’s Account of the People’s Protest in Sabzevar Against the Geographical Divisions of Khorasan Province

Full Text of the Daily Memo:

After breakfast and reviewing reports, we went to the home of Mr. Mohammad Ali Ansari, the father of a martyr, and then to Vali Asr University. Dr. Mohammad Ali Dehghan, the university president, reported on the budget shortfall. They have two thousand students and have built the university with public assistance, particularly from the Islamic Cooperative Bank, and they also own part of the cultural complex and museum of the President.

We visited the shrine of Seyyed Gharib in the village of Lahijan. They are constructing a large courtyard and shrine for him; Sheikh Mohammad Hashemian, the Imam Jom'e of Rafsanjan, provided explanations.

Thirteen years ago, due to rainwater infiltrating the crypt, a newly discovered grave was found, and after examination, it was determined to belong to a person who passed away three hundred years ago. Some people expressed doubt, and the Astan Quds Razavi was consulted, which confirmed that there are four individuals named Imam Reza (PBUH) in Iranian history, one of whose tombs is in Lahijan village. Several incurable patients have reportedly been healed, and now with the abundant donations from the people, a courtyard and shrine are being constructed, and ten thousand square meters of pistachio orchards have been established for the tomb.

There were a number of pilgrims present who had come from various cities and had settled in the rooms around the courtyard. There is an old bathhouse next to the tomb, said to be similar to the Ganjali Khan bathhouse in Kerman. We were in a hurry and did not have the key, so I couldn’t see it.

We visited the Islamic Azad University [Rafsanjan Branch]. A group of Rafsanjan residents were also present. Mr. Marashi, the university president, reported that they have 1,100 students and have spent 800 million tomans on construction so far. I also spoke about the importance of the Islamic Azad University. Mr. Hashemian welcomed me.

From there, we headed towards Nowq [Bahran]. We arrived at the home of my sister Tayebe at twelve-thirty. We visited with some relatives. Then we went to the Imamzadeh and visited the martyrs' graves, and from there, we checked on our own irrigation gardens. We then visited the newly constructed streets of Bahran. Some people expressed their objections about the destruction of their orchards due to the street expansions.

We went to the home of my sister Tahereh. There, too, we met with a group of relatives and people. Then we went to my father’s house, where many people and relatives were present. After lunch and a rest, we also visited another group. A few new rooms have been constructed for the late Hajiyeh Walideh [Mahbibi Safarian] to accommodate a cleric who comes to Bahran for preaching as a guest.

At five o'clock in the evening, we headed towards Jolge Koshkoyieh via Badbakht Kooh. On the way, we passed through Roknabad and Mohammadabad Bakhshard. A number of people welcomed us and had requests. In the evening, we arrived at Shahabiyeh, where we were guests for dinner with Ahmad Agha Marashi. Many relatives and notable figures from Rafsanjan were also there. This farm and the Sadat farm have been affected by drought.

Today, in Sabzevar, a group of people protested against the division of Khorasan Province, claiming that Sabzevar was not made the center of the new province. They caused destruction; one person was killed, 37 were injured, and 108 were arrested.