Khatami’s Farewell to Politics Postponed
Ahmad Zeidabadi, a political activist, said that yesterday a strong wind made Tehran’s air clean and pleasant. My child and I headed to Darabad, not for leisure and recreation in the northeastern slopes of Tehran, but to meet with Seyed Mohammad Khatami.
Mr. Khatami was concerned about my announcement of withdrawing from politics and wanted to know the reason. We chatted about it for two hours.
I have always had deep respect for Mr. Khatami as a thoughtful, cultural, and tolerant cleric, although my pen has often been sharp against some aspects of his political views and actions.
Interestingly, Mr. Khatami also mentioned that a few months ago he intended to do the same thing I did, which is to announce a withdrawal from day-to-day politics and focus on theoretical, intellectual, and cultural work. However, recent developments have prevented him from doing so.