At the Unveiling of “War and State”:

Minister of Health Praises the Prestigious Sadr Family

Translated by Kianoush Borzouei

2025-1-6

The book War and State in the Memoirs of Seyyed Mohammad Sadr, authored by Mohammad Qobadi and published by Sooreh Mehr, was officially unveiled at the The Artistic Sect of the Islamic Republic.

According to the Sooreh Mehr Publishing website, this event was attended by Mohammadreza Zafarghandi, Minister of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education; Mohammad Mehdi Dadman, President of The Artistic Sect of the Islamic Republic; Ali Akbar Shirvani, CEO of Sooreh Mehr Publishing; Ahmad Masjed-Jamei, Deputy Director of the Great Islamic Encyclopedia Center and former Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance; Pirouz Hanachi, former Mayor of Tehran; Mohammad Qobadi, the author of the book; and numerous cultural and artistic figures.

Ali Akbar Shirvani, CEO of Sooreh Mehr Publishing, began the event by welcoming the attendees and underscoring the importance of documenting memories. He remarked:
"We must all recognize that we are prone to forgetfulness. Thus, it is vital for those who have held or currently hold responsibilities to document their experiences promptly."

Following this, Mohammadreza Zafarghandi shared his thoughts, recalling his longstanding, 50-year friendship with Seyyed Mohammad Sadr. He stated:
"In 1976, we both joined the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tehran. At that time, Dr. Sadr had just been released from prison and was nearing the completion of his studies. Back then, individuals released from prison were allowed to resume their education, and I’ve even heard that they were treated with respect. The university president of the time reportedly summoned Dr. Sadr, treated him with great courtesy, and even apologized. There seemed to be an understanding that students must be provided with a productive learning environment and treated with leniency."

He continued:
"During his tenure at the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Sadr also made profound contributions to the country’s political landscape. Ultimately, I believe that the Sadr family is a genuinely noble, deep-rooted, accomplished, influential, and virtuous lineage. Dr. Sadr exemplifies these qualities through his simple, modest lifestyle, serving as an enduring role model for all of us. This family is similar to a ‘pure tree,’ and this book represents its latest fruit, offering wisdom for the youth to benefit from.”

Ahmad Masjed-Jamei, another distinguished attendee, shared his perspective, stating:
"At the time, I was also serving in the Ministry of Interior, and my role complemented that of Dr. Sadr. The ministry’s primary function revolves around security and politics, which often shapes its lens of observation. For instance, during the tenure of Mr. Nateq, there was palpable passion and dynamism in the Political Affairs Division. However, I chose to join the Social Affairs Division, as I believed that social and cultural matters are more fundamental than political issues and even security concerns."

Reflecting on his tenure, Masjed-Jamei added:
"During those years, we published a journal titled Cultural and Social Quarterly. Our perspective was that unless the level of literacy and dialogue between the ministry’s departments improved, success would remain elusive. The journal not only reported cultural, social, and political news but also provided analysis and educational content. At that time, only the Prime Minister’s telex service shared information with governors, leaving other departments in the dark. We decided it was essential to democratize information and minimize the extent of classified data wherever possible."

Seyyed Mohammad Sadr himself expressed gratitude to the attendees and emphasized the significance of memoir-writing:
"Documenting memories is incredibly valuable, and I regret not realizing this sooner. Memoir-writing can serve as an strong historical document. Particularly given our current circumstances—46 years post-Revolution—it holds immense potential for sharing the diverse experiences of individuals for the benefit of others."

The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of War and State in the Memoirs of Dr. Seyyed Mohammad Sadr. The unveiling was conducted in the presence of Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Yasser Khomeini, Mohammadreza Zafarghandi, Ahmad Masjed-Jamei, Pirouz Hanachi, and Hura Sadr.