Memoirs of Kianoush Rad

Life must be approached with a "Janus-faced" attitude. A look at the past and a look at the future.

In those days, there was a metal box they called the City of Culture. We would peer into the box through a circular opening. Pictures that came one after another.

At that time, in our old neighborhood, meaning Ferdowsi Street, a custom called "Omar-Koshan" or Eid al-Zahra was held during the month of Rabi' and on the day of the death of the second caliph, Omar.

In my youth, reading and becoming acquainted with politics was consoling and saving for me.

In the face of one who wants to ignore you, negate you, humiliate you, and break you, something must be done.

From the 30-meter street, I used to buy Bakhsam bread and sell it to construction workers. I also worked as a laborer myself. I would stack the bricks in bundles and hand them to the foreman.

My father was not one to give advice. As Dinani says, "One who gives advice seems to be saying, I am better than you and I understand better than you."

The teacher was dictating to the student and said: Write "Man is an obedient creature." The student paused at writing "is." He hesitated. He would not write "is." He wanted to write "is not," which would start an argument.

I do not know whether politics chose me or I chose politics. I suddenly fell into politics.

Through one of my friends, I was introduced and invited to the Hojjatiyeh Society. Our meetings were on Vakili Street in Ahvaz, opposite the Al Tayeb Mosque.

Farhad came in a hurry and said: "Kids, be more careful. Just now Sheikh... when he was leaving the mosque, he was saying to Jabbar, the mosque servant: 'Jabbar, be careful these kids don't drop leaflets in the mosque. If there are leaflets in the mosque,…

Toward the end of 57, people took over the Iran and America Society in Bagh-e Moein. Everyone was taking something. No one listened to anyone. It was unclear what was going on. The Society was looted, and the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK)…

When the military vehicle reached the end of the street, it turned around. I became certain they were coming toward our house. I didn't hesitate. In a panic, I ran downstairs at lightning speed.

At that meeting, I was the youngest member of that gathering. I was not a member of any group or faction, but I cooperated with the revolutionary Muslim forces.