Memoirs of Mohammad Reza Sherkat Tootoonchi
The days of 9th and 10th of Dey 1357 9th of Dey
Faezeh Sasanikhah
Translated by M. B. Khoshnevisan
2024-1-1
One of most glorious days of the revolution in Mashhad was the 9th of Dey 1357 (December 30, 1978). A huge rally was held on the morning of this day in Mashhad. I along with a large population started moving from Navab School. We passed from Tehran Street[1], reaching Bargh Square. All along the way, the people carried a large and beautiful photo of Imam Khomeini in front of the crowd.[2] After the Barqh Square, we went to Taghiabad Square. When we reached the governor's office, I saw that they brought the big photo of Imam Khomeini in front of the governor's office. The crowd was still moving. We had not yet reached Taghiabad Square when the army suddenly attacked us. At the same time as the army tanks attacked, many people fled to the surrounding streets and even some inside the governorate. Some people also fled to Imam Reza (PBUH) hospital, tore the fences of the hospital and threw them aside. They lay down and took shelter behind the brick wall of the hospital, which was not more than a meter high.
The shooting was intensified and some were injured and the rally broke up. With the help of a driver, we took five or six injured people to Shah Reza Hospital for seven or eight times. Thank God, the hospital had enough beds, because it was usual for the organizers of the rally to inform the medical staff of the hospitals that had joined the revolution a day in advance, and they vacated their beds. This means that most of the patients who could be discharged, for example those who were supposed to be discharged in two or three days, were discharged earlier. That's why the hospitals were on standby so that if people were injured during the rally, they would be ready to treat and care for them.
During these commutes, I sat on the edge of the car window and put my body out of the window. I asked the people to go back and clear the way so that we could get the wounded to the hospital faster. I had opened the way with my hands so much that they had hurt a lot. On the other hand, I was not used to going to the doctor, and there was no one at home to help or guide me, for example, to warm my hands or massage with boiling water to ease the pain a little.
10th of Dey
The next day that is 10th of Dey (December 31), I went to Behesht Reza Cemetery. It was a very strange situation. All the people were angry and restless. The bodies of the previous day event had been brought, but nothing was being done, and the people were disputing each other over the turn of their bodies. There were a lot of bodies and I got the help of one or two other people to put things in order. Then, we asked the people to line up the corpses so that they could be bathed and shrouded in turn. With this work, a little bit of inflammation and violent confrontations were reduced and the atmosphere got relatively regular. I was in Behesht Reza until around six o'clock in the evening. At that hour, there were no more than four or five bodies left. One or two homeless addicts and two other unknowns. There was a hall in Behesht Reza where we moved the bodies, but the door was open and we were afraid that a wolf would come from the surrounding deserts at night and tear the bodies to pieces. This possibility was not without reason, because the weather was also cold and there was a possibility that the wolves would not find food. Anyway, we secured the doors as much as we could and returned to Mashhad. I wrote the details of those bodies and posted them on the notice board in front of Shah Reza Hospital. I put the same paper in front of Shahnaz hospital for people to read and inform their families if anyone knew them.
Source: Zarif Karimi, Navid, Second Curtain, Oral Memoirs of Mohammad Reza Sherkat Tootooonchi, Tehran, Rah-e Yar, 1399, P. 232.
[1] The present Imam Reza Street
[2] It means the image drawn by Alireza Khaelghi from Imam Khomeini which later, the curtain was torn. (writer)
Number of Visits: 1721
The latest
Most visited
A Statistical Glance at the Oral History Archive of Iran
The Oral History Weekly, an electronic periodical that commenced its regular publication in November 2010, now stands on the threshold of releasing its 700th issue. Published every Wednesday, the newsletter consolidates all content posted on the Oral History website over the preceding week and circulates it to more than 850 subscribers via email. This report—drawing upon statistical data from content published on ...A Memory of an Army Aviation Pilot
I was taking a nap in my office when the door opened and a soldier entered the room. I got up from my chair and after arranging my clothes, I prepared to hear the soldier's news. After saluting, he said, "Captain, the commander has business with you." And with this, he paid military respect and left the room.Monafeghin: A New Deception
July-August 1989Following the discussions around the asylum of Iraqi prisoners of war in Iran during peace negotiations, the Iraqi side, not wanting to fall behind, launched their own campaign to offer asylum. At the outset, they attempted to attract prisoners by making grand promises ...
Supports from Guilds and Bazaars peaple
Memoirs of Haj Hossein FathiOur base of operations had become the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in the Kamp-Lou neighborhood of Ahvaz. With the assistance of Brother Khani and his companions, we began preparing hot meals and sending them to the frontlines. We ourselves, along with several fellow merchants from the bazaar, entered the conflict zone, bringing warm clothing, ...
