Memoirs of Marzieh Hadidchi (Part 24)
2018-1-2
Memoirs of Marzieh Hadidchi (Dabbagh)
Edited by: Mohsen Kazemi
Tehran, Sooreh Mehr Publications Company
2002 (Persian Version)
Translated by: Zahra Hosseinian
Propagandizing the rituals of the pilgrimage to Mecca
Mohammad Montazeri had rented a two-room house in the back of Hazrat Zaynab's shrine in Syria[1] from a person named Hajj Mohammad, and in Lebanon, he had also rented an apartment on the third floor of a building in al-shayah area; these two locations were the centers of command and the main base of his activities. They were suitable places[2] for those who came to the Middle East for political reasons and combating.
Mohammad's group in Syria and Lebanon included Mohammad Gharazi, Ali Janati, Naser Aladpoush, Saeed Taghdisian, Seraj, and a number of strong, enthusiastic, and committed young men who had a narrow circle of combating in the country. They had come abroad with the guidance of related people and militant clergymen in order to prepare themselves for future critical days by spending guerrilla and military training courses and by participating in some political activities, such as distributing leaflets and attending protest rallies. In fact, the martyr Montazeri’s group outside the country was led by Ayatollah Beheshti, Ayatollah Mutahhari, Ayatollah Mahdavikani, Ayatollah Janati, and etc. who were members of the organization of Iran combating clergymen inside the country.
One of the plans the martyr Montazeri designed and implemented was to go to Hajj and propagandize the movement of Imam Khomeini and reveal against Shah's regime. After several meetings, I decided to set off for Saudi Arabia along with Gharazi, Janati, Taghdisian, Aladpoush, and Seraj-al-ddin Musawi. A Libyan passport with a new identity was quickly provided for me.
Mecca and Madinah had special environment; it was the time of Hajj and a large number of people were there. A homogeneous crowd who had no superiority and boast to each other had come for one purpose and were sifted from impurities. There they were free from whatever they belong to, other than God, and it was only God and God. The hearts were polished and clear, therefore, every action and act word of truth was accepted. At this opportunity, we distributed the leaflets and pamphlets of Vilayate-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist), which was a true message, among the enthusiasts and pilgrims and brought the voice of Khomeini, which was a true voice to people of the world.
We had to be very aware about passing the leaflets through border customs. I remember that we put them in two or three bags without proper concealing. On the Saudi border and in the customs, we encountered Syrian, Lebanese, and Iraqi pilgrims and it was the best opportunity to pass the bags. The agents marked the bags by plaster and pass them. For keeping our bags away from being searched, we also marked them with aspirin tablets instead of plaster. If they were suspicious of anyone, they would rummage the bags. When the bags were many, they chose one of them and searched it. They chose one of our bags which fortunately did not have any leaflet or book and contained only personal things and clothes. They did not touch the other bags.
Distribution of leaflets and books finished very soon. We, in small groups, began to explain the conditions of Iran. By our good lookout and arrangements we did not encounter any problem. During this journey we were able to exchange information with several Iranian fighters and have a contact with individuals. We asked carefully about the situation of the country and got a good evaluation. We were very active and at anytime and anywhere we talked with pilgrims.
Until we found that we were encountering financial problem. Therefore, we bought a photographic camera. During days we stood in front of Kaaba, or in Medina, near the Holy Prophet's shrine (PBUH), we took picture of applicants and received money and spent it for our group. These memorable days ended and we should have returned to Syria.
To be continued…
[1]. Syria is a country with 185.180 square kilometers area and a population of about 13 million. It is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. It has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. In September 1941, Syria's independence was recognized and in April 1946, it was completed by the withdrawal of combat forces and French government workers and the withdrawal of British troops in April 1946. Syria is a bridge between three continents, Europe and Asia and Africa. Among the Arab Middle East countries, Syria is the only country which is the helmsman of combating against the expansionism of the occupying Zionist regime. Policy-making in the Syrian government is the result of the ideology of the Ba'ath Party. About 85% of the Syrian population is Muslim and only 15% is Christians. With about 70% population, the Sunnis make up the majority of society in Syria. The Syrian economy's backbone is oil production. Syria needs foreign aid, especially from rich Arab countries. (The Office of Political and International Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Syria, Tehran, 1996).
[2]. "Given the limitations in Najaf Ashraf and other countries, Martyr Montazeri set up a new base in Syria. He rented a large house in Bebila neighborhood around Hazrat Zaynab holy shrine, where about twenty people lived. Mr. Gharazi, Mrs. Dabbagh, Mr. Taghdisian, Naser Aladpoush, Ali Jannati and so on lived there." [See: Political Memoirs of Seyyed Ali Akbar Mohtashemi, volume 2, Tehran, Khaneh Andisheh Javan Publication, 1999]
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