We have no plan for happiness; vote for us so that you don't end up in misery

**Jafar Shirali Nia**

Ayatollah Khazali spoke with great passion, stating, "By the rights of the Sadaat and their ancestors, Natiq Nouri is preferable."

On Wednesday, May 21, just two days before the June 2, 1997 presidential elections, it was already evident to many that Mohammad Khatami's votes were rapidly surpassing those of Natiq Nouri. However, Ayatollah Khazali had traveled to Yazd, Khatami's birthplace, where he spoke at a rally about the likely victory of Natiq Nouri by a large margin.

Khazali told the people of Yazd that he had heard that Yazd was silent in defending its rights: "How can I be alive while Yazd is silent?" He mentioned the Society of Seminary Teachers' support for Natiq and that he had investigated through four channels associated with the leadership, discovering their inclination towards Natiq Nouri. While criticizing Khatami, he asserted, "Mr. Natiq Nouri is completely aligned with the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist."

Khazali warned the audience: "Look at who is working behind the scenes. Check the Israeli newspapers. Look at the BBC. Brothers and sisters, stay alert." He referred to a video where a woman in Tehran, with her hair out, was asked who she would vote for, and she replied Khatami because he offers freedom: "She even removes her headscarf. Why aren't these people being arrested?" He continued criticizing Khatami until the crowd interrupted with chants: "Hussein Hussein, our slogan; Khatami is our pride." Once the slogans subsided, Khazali stated he would reveal a truth that would leave the chant participants feeling ashamed for their ignorance.

At that time, Mohammad Hossein Tabatabai, a child who had memorized the Quran, was in the spotlight among religious circles. His mastery of the Quran at the age of five or six amazed many. He could answer questions from people using verses from the Quran. Khazali said that before his speech, he had called Mohammad Hossein Tabatabai to ask about the elections, and Tabatabai replied: "فَبِهُدَاهُمُ اقْتَدِهْ" (So follow their guidance). Khazali explained that this meant to follow the guidance of the clergy. He asked, "What do you think of Mr. Khatami's style?" Tabatabai replied, "إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ" (You cannot guide those whom you love). Khazali interpreted this response as saying that these people are misguided, and you cannot guide them, claiming this would leave the chant participants feeling ashamed: "Now, until morning, you can wrap yourself up. This statement isn't mine; it belongs to the clergy, and it is God's word being conveyed to this child's heart. Now, tomorrow go to the polls and vote for whoever you wish... if you are at war with God, so be it!"

He also predicted the election results: "Pray for all four candidates; they are our Muslim brothers. One of them might get one and a half percent of the votes, another five or six percent, and I estimate Mr. Natiq Nouri will receive between fifty-six to sixty percent, while the rest will get lower."

A significant effort was exerted from the religious authorities and seminaries to support Natiq Nouri in this election. Seyyed Mahdi Tabatabai narrated in his memoirs: "We traveled to different parts of the country, inviting scholars to support Mr. Natiq... even the seminary got involved. Mr. Qaraati made references in his television programs. Mr. Jawadi Amoli spoke alongside several other prominent figures to endorse Mr. Natiq, but this was like a ship that, the more we clung to it, the more it sank. The more weights we added to this ship, the heavier it became. I realized this just a few days before the election." He explained how this extensive support alienated some factions of the clergy as well.

In the end, Khatami won the election by a wide margin. A few days after the election, Ayatollah Amini expressed to Hashemi Rafsanjani his grievances regarding the "mismanagement that led to the clergy's loss of credibility in the election" and mentioned "potential sabotages that would soon emerge against Mr. Khatami." Shortly after, Ayatollah Imamiy Kashani sought Hashemi's assistance regarding loans incurred during the presidential campaign, and on June 28, Reyshahri informed Hashemi of the poor morale among individuals like Ayatollah Jawadi Amoli and Hojjatoleslam Qaraati, who were compelled to take a stance in the election.

Sometimes, the conservatives turn elections into a life-and-death game, and at other times, the reformists do.

It seems there is no plan for improvement, and the ceiling of success is merely not worsening the country's situation.

They say, vote for us so that things don't get worse with their arrival.