Akbar Hashemi's Memoirs - 5 December 2002

In most Islamic countries, Eid al-Fitr was today, but in Iran, the Eid is tomorrow. In some Sunni-majority regions, many Sunnis celebrated Eid today, and the Eid al-Fitr prayer was held in some of their mosques. This is not a good situation; I have repeatedly suggested to the Leader to take the initiative to create coordination in the lunar calendar, which has caused problems for many people.

Full text of the daily note:

I was at home. Time was spent studying bulletins, editing interviews for publication, and editing the indices of Volume 15 of Tafsir-e Rahnamā (A Guide Commentary). In most Islamic countries, Eid al-Fitr was today, but in Iran, the Eid is tomorrow. In some Sunni-majority regions, many Sunnis celebrated Eid today, and the Eid al-Fitr prayer was held in some of their mosques. This is not a good situation; I have repeatedly suggested to the Leader to take the initiative to create coordination in the lunar calendar, which has caused problems for many people.

[Taha] Yasin Ramadan, [First Vice President] in Iraq, has said that inspectors are spying for America and Israel, and even [Hosni] Mubarak, [President of Egypt], has said that the resentment of Islamic countries towards America is nearing disgust. An explosion occurred in one of the American centers in Indonesia, resulting in casualties. In Kabul, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic has been threatened and its protection has been reinforced.

The debate over the trial of those responsible for the opinion polls continues. The Judiciary has announced that it is pursuing the Petropars case. The expectation was that by referring it to the government, the issue of the trial would not be raised. In Isfahan, three armed robberies of banks and jewelry stores have left three people dead, which is an example of insecurity.

An explosion occurred at the Macedonian consulate in Karachi, leaving three dead.