Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – May 28, 1981

We had a public session. The following members spoke during the continuation of the budget debate: Dr. [Hassan] Ayat, [Ali-Akbar] Nateq-Nouri, [Ahmad] Salamatiyan, and [Abbas] Mozaffar.

Most of the speeches were political, and each person spoke along his own political line and against his opponent; the budget had become an excuse for settling political scores. The Rules of Procedure are incomplete and should be amended. The Presiding Board was formed, and we arranged the program for the coming week.

After a rest, we set out for Qom. At the Feyziyeh School, I attended a splendid gathering of seminarians held on the occasion of the end of the academic year, delivered a speech, and answered their questions. I think it will be very useful. What I said could serve as an inspiration throughout the entire vacation period, when the seminarians travel around the country to engage in religious propagation: the importance of the Islamic Revolution and the substance of the two important existing lines—the Imam’s line and liberalism.

At the school office, Hajj Agha Mojtaba Araqi asked for assistance from the Parliament’s publications for the Qom library. I agreed.

A number of Kermani seminarians wanted a plot of land for housing; I agreed to provide one. I have had several plots of land since before the Revolution, which I usually give to needy seminarians. Early in the evening, I went to see Ayatollah [al-Uzma] Golpayegani. He was kind and cordial. He gave me advice about observing proper conduct in the Parliament, purging past laws of objectionable provisions, making decisions on ambiguous issues, addressing violations by the revolutionary institutions, and exercising caution in relations with Libya. He complained that I had said I had seen traces of counter-revolutionaries in his home; I gave him convincing explanations regarding all of them.

I spent the night at Mr. Montazeri’s home. He had taken a painkiller and was drowsy. He complained and criticized the weakness of the judiciary’s performance, while those around him were pleased about the removal of the Nouri group from radio and television and about the Imam’s recent statements. Since the weather was hot and they did not have an air conditioner, I slept beside a fan and did not fall asleep until very late.