Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – August 17, 1997

Mr. [Abbas] Akhundi came and consulted for the next job or traveling abroad to continue his studies; I said that he can work in the strategic research center and study at the same time. He said that he did not accept the proposal to supervise the construction of buildings related to the Summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference.

Mr. [Mohsen] Qaraati, [head of the prayer service staff] and his companions came. They gave a report on the work of regulating the affairs of mosques and thanked me for my help to mosques and especially the approval of mosque regulations in the government, and asked for my help to strengthen the clergy and manage cultural affairs and expressed concern about the situation of the clergy.

Dr. [Abdullah] Jasbi, [President of Islamic Azad University] came. He expressed his concern about the possibility of the new ministers not cooperating with the Islamic Azad University and removing its special entrance exam, and asked for my help, and criticized the coalition and right-wing positions in the elections, as well as the left-wing of the cabinet.

In the evening Mr. [Ferydoun] Verdinijad, [CEO of the Islamic Republic News Agency] came. He praised my policies in general and cried because I was not at the head of affairs and complained about the disturbances of the right wing and especially the newspaper Resalat.

Dr. [Moussi] Zargar, [President of Sinai Hospital], came to Sinai Hospital to thank me for my help and asked for my opinion on their trip to Egypt for inter-parliamentary. I was the guest of the leader. We talked about the secretariat of the assembly for the diagnosis and establishment of the cabinet and the assembly, my trip to Mazandaran, his visits and climbing. I came home late. Chastity had also returned from the trip.