A Section of Mullah Saleh Memoirs

Congress of Arab Poets in War

Compiled by: Faezeh Sasanikhah
Translated by: Fazel Shirzad

2023-1-17


The poisonous propaganda of the Iraqi radio to discourage the fighting forces and the people remaining in the cities and villages, which was carried out by its mercenaries, had reached such a point that it made me think of doing something big, whose voice would reach outside the borders and the advocates of the defense of Arabism and Khuzestan's people

The best thing was to hold a conference and congress of Arabic poetry and invite Arab poets and heads of war-torn and scattered tribes all over the country.

This thought occupied me. I was looking for a suitable opportunity to let Saddamian know that the people whose women and children you displaced and whose men you killed are the same Arab people that you put stones on their chests to defend them. Those who love their soil and homeland.

By calling and writing a letter to Mr. Abbas Doz Dozani, Minister of Guidance and Islamic Culture at the time, who was one of the political fighters and my friend and fellow prisoner in the Shah's prison, I presented my proposal. Mr. Doz Dozani was very pleased and promised cooperation, budget, travel expenses and necessary reception for the conference.

After receiving a favorable promise from the Minister of Guidance and preparing the budget, I started traveling to the cities where the war dead lived and invited poets, nobles, elders, and Arab sheikhs for this important work.

It was very important news; On the day of the opening of the congress, about a thousand guests gathered in the amphitheater of a large cinema in Shiraz and a very magnificent ceremony was held in which poets, poets, nobles and elders of Arab tribes defended the revolution and the movement of Imam Khomeini and condemned the Baathist regime and Saddam. They read poems and articles.

Holding this magnificent poetry congress, which was broadcast on TV for a week in Shiraz and had a wide coverage in domestic and foreign newspapers, was very effective in neutralizing Saddam's propaganda about supporting the Arab people. I was happy and I did not know him. I had dedicated my whole being to the goals of the revolution and with this move I once again blackened Saddam's face. The only thing that bothered me and occupied my mind did not know about my family, I didn't know where and in what condition they were.[1]

 


[1] Ghobeyshi, Marziyyah, Mullah Saleh, Biography of Mullah Saleh Qari: Iranian POWs Interpreter, Qum: Shahid Kazemi Pub. Co., 1395 (2016), p. 115.  



 
Number of Visits: 2241


Comments

 
Full Name:
Email:
Comment:
 
Reza in Revolution

Memoirs of Hujjat al-Islam Reza Motalebi

Hujjat al-Islam Reza Motalebi is a cleric from Isfahan. Before the revolution, he was the imam of the Fallah Mosque – which was later renamed Abuzar Mosque. By his presence and efforts, Abuzar Mosque soon became a base for supporters of the Imam and the revolution. After the victory of the revolution, he played a role in uniting forces and maintaining political vitality in southwest Tehran.

The Necessity of Receiving Feedback in Oral History

Whenever we engage in a task, we naturally seek ways to evaluate our performance — to correct shortcomings and enhance strengths. Such refinement is only possible through the feedback we receive from others. Consider, for instance, a basketball player whose shots are consistently accurate; should he begin shooting blindfolded, his success rate would rapidly decline, as he would be deprived of essential feedback from each attempt.
Book Review

Sir Saeed

The book “Sir Saeed” is a documentary [narrative] of the life of martyr Seyyed Mohammad Saeed Jafari, written by Mohammad Mehdi Hemmati and published by Rahiyar Publications. In March 2024, this book was recognized as one of the selected documentary biographies in the 21st edition of the Sacred Defense Book of the Year Award. The following text is a review on the mentioned book.

Morteza Tavakoli Narrates Student Activities

I am from Isfahan, born in 1336 (1957). I entered Mashhad University with a bag of fiery feelings and a desire for rights and freedom. Less than three months into the academic year, I was arrested in Azar 1355 (November 1976), or perhaps in 1354 (1975). I was detained for about 35 days. The reason for my arrest was that we gathered like-minded students in the Faculty of Literature on 16th of Azar ...