Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 22, 1992

We arrived at Mehrabad airport at eight in the morning and immediately took the Ministry's Fokker plane

Naft, we flew to Semnan with our companions. Because the runway of Semnan airport is short, we took a small plane. The ministers of road and transportation, energy, post and telegraph and telephone, jihad building, labor and social affairs, industries and Mr. [Hamid] Mirzadeh and Dr. [Hasan] Rouhani, [Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council], were there. Half an hour later, we landed at the old and unequipped Semnan airport. An official reception was held. Then, with a very magnificent welcome from the people, we moved towards the city.

I met with the families of martyrs and martyrs in the indoor sports hall. They sang a hymn. Mr. [Seydmasih] Shahcheraghi, the father of the martyr and the head of the Semnan Martyr Foundation, said goodbye and I gave a condolence speech. Next to the same hall, in the grass field of Takhti Stadium, I participated in a very large and passionate gathering of people. Mr. [Abbas Ali] Akhtri, the imam of Semnan Friday, exaggerating my praise, like the speaker of the previous meeting, gave his blessing. I gave a short speech and requested them not to make me proud with their kindness.

We went to the newly renovated hall of the governorate. I met the clergy of the province. They said welcome and I gave friendly and instructive talks for studying and how to preach. After the prayer, we had lunch together. I took a short rest, then we left for the opening of the newly built Technical and Engineering Faculty [Higher Education Complex] in Semnan. After welcoming the faculty dean and deputy minister and listening to the explanations and visiting the laboratories, I gave a speech to the professors and students and promised to raise the level of the university complex to a university.

We flew with helicopters. We watched Mehdi Shahr and Shahmirzad from space. Mr. [Mohammed] Momeni and [Syed Mohammad] Shahcheraghi explained. They were complaining that we did not go to their city; It is their right. It is very beautiful and refined; Mountainous, summer and temperate.

At the insistence of Dr. [Hasan] Rouhani, we landed in Sarkheh, which made them complain more. With the warm and magnificent welcome of the people of Sarkha, we went to the city mosque. Most of the people, there was no place for them and they stayed in the streets. Imam Juma said welcome and I spoke briefly. Compared to other places, they have given more martyrs and this was the reason for my departure.

We flew to the industrial town and saw it from above. We landed at the exhibition site. It was Maghrib. We visited the industry and agriculture booths of the province for two hours; There were one hundred and twenty five stalls. I am very tired. I talked to all of them and had questions and answers. Almost all the majority were satisfied. We prayed Maghrib and Isha prayers there. I had a short interview and we returned to the residence.

I participated in the administrative council of the province. The governor and the person in charge of jihad construction, the person in charge of the water, road and transport organization and the relevant ministers spoke and while explaining the services after the revolution and comparing them with those before the revolution, which have improved many times, they raised the needs. I thanked them with a short speech and promised to help them with water, roads and desertification.