Overview of the 11th volume of “Closed Doors Era”

When Seyyed Ali Akbar Abutorabi changed the lifestyle of captives

Meysam Gholampour
Translated by Natalie Haghverdian

2016-8-21

In the middle: Gholam Abbass Mohammad Hassani

August 17, 1990; there was whirl in the border of Iran and Iraq; one of the first days of exchange of Iranian and Iraqi war captives. That day, one hostage who was freed from Iraqi camps and tasted freedom was a young man by the name of Gholam Abbass Mohammad Hassani. A young man with less than three decades of age who had spent eight years of his youth in prisons of Iraq as a hostage.

When Gholam Abbass was taken he wasn’t even 20. Now, that young man is middle aged and is recounting his memories of his days as war hostage; memories that are compiled by the efforts of Seyyed Hossein Yahyavi and published by Ravayat Fath Publication.

Hunger, thirst and soar wounds

Gholam Abbas recounts his memories starting by spring of 1982 when he was taken hostage by Iraqi forces. In Iraq, along with 40 other combatants he spent the first night of captivity in a small dorm: “It was so small that there was not enough space for the forty captives to sit. Some were seriously wounded and couldn’t sit; they had to lie down. When they closed the doors we were imprisoned. I was the youngest and it was my first experience of captivity. I was sitting there hungry and thirsty with the pain of my wounded hand and sorrow of martyrdom of Ismalil and Mustafa (fellow combatants), being imprisoned in that tiny and small dorm and others whining, all and all faded me. The first night was the hardest.

Iranian hostages were in this camp for two days and then they were transferred to another temporary camp; in general, there was no food and water for four days. The first days were very difficult. Hunger and thirst were not the only problems. It was night cold and fever and infected and soar wounds which in case unattended would lead to martyrdom. Despite all these problems, the hostages complained and went on a strike to change the situation and once we were transferred again, the situation improved.

Gholam Abbass Mohammad Hassani, in recounting his memories, in multiple occasions talks about his visit with Haj Agha Abutorabi. The first visit was in “Alanbar” camp; a new camp that Gholam Abbass and other captives stayed there for a while. Meeting Haj Agha Abutorabi was both unexpected and exciting; it was unexpected since rumors in Iran had it that he was martyred and the excitement was to see him alive. He was the Deputy Commander of the camp and Major Kashani was the Commander in Chief of the camp. They came to visit the new arrivals.

Daily Schedule

Gholam Abbas Mohammad Hassani reports on the daily schedule in Alanbar camp. Multiple headcount would take place during the day in the camp. First headcount was 8 in the morning. Then the long hours of standing in line for shower; another headcount after breakfast and till 4 the hostages were free to spend their time outdoors, take a shower, wash clothes or even exercise but individually. At four the dorm doors would close and there was no access to water. Hence they would fill a glass of water prior to that and had to spend the whole night with it.

Ramadan in Captivity

In 1982, the first year, Holy month of Ramadan was in summer. It was very difficult to fast under such circumstance: “Food was scarce with no sufficient nutritional value. Summer heat was dreadful. We would jump under shower many times a day just to bear the heat. We had no air-conditioning systems. There was a massive population in the camp and it felt like there was no air to breathe. The first Ramadan was very difficult.

Leadership Role of Abutorabi

Gholam Abbass recounts the naïve approach of prisoners towards life in captivity. This is where someone like “Haj Agha Abutorabi” comes to rescue. During numerous transfers to different camps, Gholam Abbass stayed in the same camp of Abutorabi for a while which was a pleasant experience. Abutorabi was older and before war and during revolution he had experienced jail and knew the lifestyle of captivity. His words were accepted since he was Imam Khomeini’s student and people would come to him with various questions: How should we treat Iraqis? Should we let the Red Cross to visit the camp? How shall we treat with those who don’t abide by religious teachings? What shall we do if Iraqis ask us to do something which contradicts our beliefs? Abutorabi’s response to some of these questions was very effective and would calm people down. His approach to captivity and Iraqis would change the situation: “Haj Agha had one very important rule. He said that we are not in battlefield and we don’t carry guns but this is a different type of battle. We shall maintain our dignity as soldiers and meanwhile preserve our physical and psychological health. It is a command of the Holy Prophet that we have to preserve our health so in case we are forced to do something we have to sacrifice religious recommendations and musts. In case you are asked to shave with a razor which contradicts your beliefs but ignoring it is associated with consequences such as beating which might result in severe physical harm and damage then you should shave your face with a razor. If they don’t agree with Congregational Prayer then don’t do it since you know there would be a punishment but … if you are asked to stop prayer in general then you should defend your stance with your life.

Captivity was an opportunity to learn various skills. Gholam Abbass learned Quran translation and English language in captivity.

As Gholam Abbas recounts, there were matches for Revolution Celebrations every year. There were also prizes for winners; including prayer beads made of palm kernel and prayer mats made of old clothing.

Qurans with Photo of Imam!

Ceasefire and Imam’s passing were two important news delivered to the hostages both of which were painful and not easy to accept. Gholam Abbas refers to these two pieces of news and then the experience of pilgrimage to Karbala which he wasn’t party to and then returns to his story of freedom. He tells about an Iraqi soldier travelling in the train with the hostages to the border of Iran who uses his time there to ask question which he was eager to know the answer. Questions which clearly indicate the kind of mentality advocated against Iran. He asked: “Why is your Quran different from ours?” I replied: “It’s not different.” He said: “Yes! It is different. We are told that in Iran there should be a photo of Imam in Quran otherwise they would burn it.” I said: “That’s not true.” He said: “You’ve been away for a very long time; you don’t know.” I said: “If God willing! There would be open borders for pilgrimage to Karbala and you can travel to Mash’had to visit Imam Reza. Then you would understand that there is no picture of Imam in Quran. They said it to keep us apart. They don’t want Iranians and Iraqis to be united.” He nodded and was thinking for a while.

Finally, Gholam Abbas talks about his return to his homeland. The moments of hostage exchange in the border of Iran and Iraq on August 17, 2016; the day when roving was over and after 8 years he returned to his country.