The Presence of Desperate People in the Arbaeen Procession

Translated by Ruhollah Golmoradi

2024-4-8

Considering that the regime bore the brunt of the days of Tasu’a and Ashura, and the very bold movement of Muslim and religious guys in The Immortal Guard of Imperial Iran in Lavizan, there was a prediction that the ruling apparatus would be dangerous on the day of Arbaeen. This analysis was based on that the regime might take revenge on this day.

In a special meeting at Ayatollah Taleghani's house, all aspects were discussed. Because the issue was whether to march on the day of Arbaeen as well as on the day of Tasu’a and Ashura, or to show up with more military facilities and equipment?

Ayatollah Dr. Beheshti's opinion was that we should come equipped and be together so that we can form a united front if necessary. He believed if the regime's forces fired at the people, you should also fire.

For this purpose, we formed a group and recruited some religious Muslim guys for this group. We trained them in two operational teams. We were supposed to participate in demonstrations armored and if necessary, act according to the order.

We had managed to acquire more weapons. These weapons were paid from the money that Imam delivered us from Paris. We were received the money through Turkey and Dr. [Ebrihim] Yazdi contributed.

Due to the dangerous nature of this demonstration, several other armed groups were formed to carry out their duties if necessary.

Before the Arbaeen, the guys of Shahr-e Rey formed the Badr Group. They had no weapons. Abozar Group also announced itself to the world; This group was active mostly theoretically.

The People's Mojahedin Organization participated in the Arbaeen Day march, but this time it was moving in the back, as opposed to always moving in the front. They were always the backseat drivers and liked to fish in troubled waters. As far as I can remember, they were always like this and did not put themselves in danger, and in times of danger they were backseat drivers and when they saw a benefit, they became leaders of the field.

I remember correctly that on the day of the march, they were at the back of the crowd (their flags indicated their position among the people). As soon as they realized that this demonstration might be dangerous, they preferred to stay away from the focus of danger. While in the previous times, when there was no possibility of a danger, they were in front to use the podium.

We gathered with friends in Imam Hossein Square. Mohammad Boroujerdi, Shakuri, Hossein Sadeghi, Masoud Safari, Ali Tahayori, and Ali Nakhli were among the armed group that were supposed to participate in the march.

Each of us had a Colt and strapped two grenades to our stomachs. In addition, I had put two machine guns in the trunk of the car to be used in case of need. I had also brought a considerable amount of TNT and a handful of detonator.

My friends and I thought that if the regime wants to attack the people, it will do so in Imam Hussein Square. That is why we gathered there. On the other hand, we thought the regime forces would surround the people from Tehran-e No and cut off their communication with the rest of the population and then attack. Having such an analysis, we divided our people into two groups. All groups participated in the Arbaeen Day march. There were some people who participated in the event which I thought was strange.

Participation of some soldiers in white uniforms, some businessmen who did not cooperate until yesterday, and presence of many families, friends, and acquaintances who always made disappointed quotes, all indicated the fact that the regime no longer has a base among the Iranian nation.

Source: Akbar Barati's Memoirs (1996) Tehran, Hozeh Honari, Islamic Revolution Literature Office, pp. 109-110.