Beacon of Light

Refah School became the headquarters of revolution leadership after the arrival of Imam. Although I could not take part in the activities as others because of my physical conditions but I was enthusiastic to do something and leave away the responsibilities. Maybe despite all those hard conditions I could do something, even so little. I went toward Refah School. People had gathered in front of the school. It was almost impossible to move. The first thing that I spotted was the propaganda made by MKO members and leaders such as Masoud Rajavi and Moosa Khiabani. I visited many people there; the late Haj mehdi Araghi, Ebrahim Yazdi, Abbass Agha Zamani (Abusharif), Jaad Mansouri and …. It was so interesting to visit Abusharif again there. He had recently arrived in the country. He told me: “Ahmad! Please introduce any revolutionary comrade, young or old. There are lots of things to do. We need trustable people.” He was in charge of Military and Defense Classes Office. Other than him, there were also Javad Mansouri, Mohammad Montazeri and Abbass Douzdouzani who were in charge of other responsibilities. They would train people for military posts to guard the school and the area around it. I could not be useful that much. I was just present at school and my friends would refer only the tasks that were suitable for my condition such as office affairs and writings and I would do them by my all might.

On Thursday, February 8^th 1979, Homafars (Technical Sergeants in Air Force) came to visit Imam. At the night of the same day, I had gone to my mother-in-law’s home at Sar Asiyab Dulab district, Baghche Bidi Street. The next day, on Friday, about 10 o’clock in the morning, I came out and reached to Soleymanieh three-ways. It was so crowded at the northern side of Farahabad (Piroozi) Street. People had attacked Farahabad Garrison and even had fired a tank in the street. It was a strange situation. The street was full of smoke and stones. I went toward the main gate of garrison. People were standing in a row. I asked: “What’s up here?” They said: “The ones who have Military ID Card can get arms.” I could not believe it. Was it really possible?! Why were they delivering arms to people? They answered: “Last night the Imperial Guard forces attacked Homafars and occupied the armory of their garrison. Then people came to help Homafars and after some fights they could get back the armory.” Homafars were the ones who were arming people and they would deliver arms to anyone who had Military ID Card. I found an undamaged (!) telephone booth at once and called Refah School. I did not recognize who was on the other side of the phone and I just said: “Brother! Do you know what’s going on? ... Betray!” He asked: “Betray! What do you mean by betray?!” I said: “They are delivering arms to people. They are making turmoil.” He said: “People are getting arms by their own wish. The need arms to fight against The Imperial Guard forces. There is no betraying. With bare hands nobody can fight with Imperial Guard.”

After half an hour I came back to the scene. I saw all the roofs were changed to trenches by soli and sand pouches. Right then a minibus arrived. Some people with wooden sticks burst out of it. Hadi Ghaffari was among them. He was walking in the first line while carrying an automatic UZ. Minutes later the fight began between people and Imperial Guard forces. People’s maneuver started the counted down for the regime.

Prison gates were getting open one after another. Lavizan Garrison was still resisting. And at this time, we were busy with the activities at our local mosque. We were informed that our comrades needed help. A group of us took arms and moved toward Lavizan Garrison. When we reached there we could hear the sound of bullets shot in the air. I saw they were guiding people out of the garrison and closing the gates. I asked: “What’s up?” They said: “You’re late. The comrades seized the garrison and they are getting prepared to control anarchy.” I said: “Thank God!” Then Radio & Television buildings were seized. It was announced: “Attention! Attention! This is the voice of revolution! Voice of Iranian nation.”