“The Relief is so close”

The late Andarzgou would gather and connect Muslim kindred spirits to reinforce the activities. So, he introduced the late Majid Tavassoli Hujjati[1] to me with the pseudonym of Meysam to cooperate with him in Movahedin Group. Andarzgou said: “Ahmad! All of them are young and separated members of MKO. They were not active there as much as you were; they have been only sympathizers. Make a group with them and try not getting involved in any conflict. Right now, you should only try to save yourselves.”

Meysam and I had few sessions together and discussed our ideological ideas and expressed our common ideological positions and the struggle strategy. Meysam was a believing enthusiastic Muslim. He was about 24 and an athlete. He showed to be a clever and competent man.

During those early meetings, the late Andarzgou said: “Ahmad! They [Meysam and his friends] know some people around the country and Tehran. They have some facilities to be used. I should go [to Najaf] to visit Agha [Ayatollah Khomeini]. In my absence, take care of everything.” I said: “Haj Agha! I am tired. Take me along too.” He said: “No, Ahmad! You should be here and take care.” Then I said: “So let be with you for the next trip.” He accepted and then went to Najaf.

The late Andarzgou returned in March 1976 from Najaf. Maysam and I went to visit him in a park [Khayyam] in Eqbal Street. After greetings and giving the reports, I asked: “Haj Agha! Did you get the permission for us to go abroad?” He said: “I delivered your message to his holiness. Agha said that it is not needed. The relief is so close. You should take care of yourself….” I became silent. As a matter of fact, I did not get what the holy Imam meant by that sentence because we did not expect to see a miracle; however, it took three years that Islamic Revolution Sun shined over Iran and we believed his glad tidings.

During that meeting, the late Andarzgou presented very important matters for us; including forming a group with the separated members of MKO. He talked about the unity among the comrades and necessity of following a unique leader [Imam Khomeini]. He criticized the events in MKO. I defended pioneers of MKO and mentioned if they were alive now, these misleading events would never happen in MKO. Andarzgou said: “Ahmad! Anyway, they have passed away now; however, it is not clear if they were alive now, they were not worse. [And what a destiny they might have.]”

This session of discussion with Andarzgou is one of the most remembering and instructive memories in my life. His guidance and instructions were really crucial and gave me new reasons to continue my struggle.

Other than Meysam I had contacts with Mohammad Mohammadi Fateh (Saeed’s brother) and the late Andarzgou was aware of my contacts. He was also a separated MKO sympathizer. Thus, I made contacts with a group of Muslim comrades who were partly students and active in different counties. There was a student among Meysam’s friends who was not hidden yet. He had a big black pimple on his left cheek and it was a mark that would make him easily identifiable.

In the first session that I was present among Meysam's friends, I spoke about security matters and appointments knowhow and then I told this student: “It is better for you not to come for the appointments and just follow your studies at university; and whenever we were arrested you should instantly leave university and hide somewhere. You have a big pimple on your face and it makes it so easy to be identified.” He became a little upset because of these sentences. But it was an essential decision for his safety.

They asked me to go along with them to county for organizational, martial and defending trainings. It was impossible for me. I argued for them: “County is a small place and people would be identified so soon. But Tehran is a big city and everything can be lost in it.” They insisted, but I did not accept. I advised them not to go to county. Then I suggested only one of them call me because of the dangers that might be for me. I knew having vast contacts would increase the possibility of defeat or risks. They accepted. Then we chose an alley for our appointments and a sign to show our health.

Then after we had a meeting every week with the Tehran branch of this group for a short period and we would give and get the news and information.