Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – July 21, 1997

We went to Tehran mosque. We visited different departments; It is very huge and magnificent and the biggest religious and cultural building in the world. We heard the explanations of Mr. [Hossein] Alayi, [the director of Mosla]. For the [Islamic] Unity Congress, we went to Hosseinieh Al-Zahra. Before the meeting, the head of one of the largest Muslim sects in America came. I said hello. He said, one and a half million black Muslims are his followers. He did not know which African country he was from. At the meeting, Mr. [Mohammed] Waezzadeh [Khorasani] welcomed me and appreciated my contributions to establish the University of Islamic Religions. I also gave a detailed speech about the government in Islam and the opposition of arrogance to the rule of religions. Then the interview

I spoke briefly about the greatness of the mosque in Tehran.

I went to my office. Dr. [Mustafa] Moin, [Isfahan representative] came; He consulted for important things that he can do in the parliament. I said that the program of Islamic civilization and economy without relying on the export of crude oil and the Zagros plan and large government organizations are on the agenda of the government and will come to the parliament one day.

The representatives of Baluchistan came and while thanking my services for the development of the region, they complained about the system's lack of trust in the Balochs, which is reflected in not giving important posts to local Sunnis and not supporting Sunni religious schools and mosques. [Mr. Jafar Qoli Rabh], the representative of Tankabon, came and raised many demands. [Mr. Mohammad Rauf Qadri], the representative of Paveh came. He appealed for the situation of the region and the fugitives who have returned from Iraq.

In the afternoon, we went to the Salman Farsi Mosque in the presidential office for the inauguration. Built by Akhvi Mohammad with the design of engineer [Mirhossein] Mousavi; It is an interesting mosque. About five hundred million tomans have been spent. [President-elect] Mr. [Syed Mohammad] Khatami also came. We prayed in congregation with the staff of the institution [Presidential Office] and I thanked them and said goodbye. In the evening, the High Council of Free Zones had a meeting with several resolutions, including Bushehr's special zone.