Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – October 23, 1992

After prayer, listening to the news, reading the reports, and breakfast, we went to the old mosque of Semnan. I found it to be less than what it is famously reputed to be. I do not know why it has been said "Pity for this mosque that was in the province, it remains like Joseph who was in Canaan". From there, we went to the airport and flew toward Shahrud with helicopters.

Mr. [Seyed Hossein] Hosseini [Shahroudi], the representative of Shahrud, gave explanations on the plane. In complaint of Semnan, which he claims violates the rights of Shahrud, and that the people of Shahrud are not willing to be subordinates of Semnan because they are larger and more important and have more needs, facilities, and talents. At 8:30 AM, we landed at the city's unfinished airport. After the welcome, we moved toward the city. The extraordinarily massive welcome from the people moved me.

In the Takhti indoor hall, I had a meeting with the families of the martyrs. The sons and daughters of the martyrs moved me to excitement artistically with songs and recitations along with interesting tunes; I was happy to see the children of martyrs so spirited and fresh. I gave a warm talk for them. A cleric who was the father of two martyrs gave a welcome speech. In a very massive gathering of people on the stadium grass, after an exaggerated welcome by the Friday Imam and the warm slogans of the people, I delivered a speech. They also had remarks regarding the desire for separation from Semnan. It was advised that they should not chant too many slogans about this. In the speech, I expressed appreciation for their feelings and massive gathering.

Immediately, we went to visit the 2000-ton cement factory under construction. We passed through the historical city of Bastam. The people of Bastam gave a warm welcome on both sides of the streets with animal sacrifices, burning wild rue, slogans, and throwing flowers, sweets, and coins. We did not stop. It is a very lush and tree-filled area; Shahrud itself is also like this.

At the site of the cement factory, they provided explanations. 20,000 small shareholders are from the people and 40% of the shares belong to Bank Mellat. They have found a dispute over the method of carrying out the work. I told the Minister of Industries to arbitrate. We visited by car.

The helicopters arrived late because of the winds and autumn dust. To inaugurate the drinking water supply project, which Jihad-e Sazandegi has implemented by drilling and equipping a 207-meter well and piping, we flew toward the village of "Abrsaj". There are 380 households, with 100 clerics and 25 martyrs; it is very lush. The people welcomed us very warmly and passionately and offered numerous sacrifices.

We stopped at the house of the martyr Ibn al-Reza Saadi. He had three triplets and two twins; everyone in the house, including the spouse, children, brothers, sisters, and parents, came; I gave a half-coin gift to each of them. They also gifted me a felt rug. They took photos and films. Then I gave a speech for the people. We returned to Shahrud.

After lunch and rest, we flew toward the deprived region of Mayamey, in the village of Mohammadabad, and landed next to the "Kalshour" river. Most of our route was desert and the villages were very poor and deprived. People from several villages had gathered next to the Abrisham bridge at the city entrance. I spoke for them. It was decided that we provide a water well, electricity, and roads. I asked the people to develop the region.

It was planned to go to the deprived district of Kalateh Khij, which we did not go to because of sunset and the helicopters' inability to fly. We reached Shahrud at the beginning of the night. Later, the Friday Imam of that place came and complained severely and cried a bit. It was decided that we send a delegation to compensate.

We went to inaugurate the new Shahrud telephone center. This center gives 10,000 new numbers to the people of the city. The project was inaugurated along and simultaneously with the new telephones in Semnan, Damghan, and Garmsar, with 30,000 numbers. We heard reports and I made an encouraging speech. People had gathered around the building and welcomed us warmly.

We returned to the residence. In the streets, people are usually gathered in groups and shout welcomes; the feelings of the ladies are warmer. After prayer, rest, and listening to the news, I participated in the gathering of scholars and clerics. After the welcome speeches by the Friday Imam and a number of old and new scholars of Shahrud and Bastam, I delivered a speech about the services and responsibilities of the clergy. Then we had dinner and observed the artistry of a disabled person without legs and with paralyzed hands who opens and repairs watches with their mouth; they are a watch repairer. The doctor has said their teeth and lips will fail. I said they should cut their working time in half, for which I will pay half of their income.

We went to see the historical sites of Bastam. The tomb of Bayazid Bastami and his worship cell and the Imamzadeh Mohammad and the historical building built by a Sultan from Afghanistan for Bayazid, which according to the servant, he wanted to move to the city of Jalalabad and was unable to; the building is very old.Before dinner, a group of scholars from Shahrud came and strongly insisted on a type of independence for Shahrud from Semnan; they claim the people feel belittled and will not be satisfied with anything else; I promised a special governorate and the establishment of general directorates.

I returned to the residence at 10 pm. It is the governor's house, in a pleasant spot. After bathing, listening to the news, writing my memoirs, and calling Tehran to check on Effat, I went to sleep.