On the sidelines of a meeting with the publishers of the book “Faranguiss[1]”-- written on Sacred Defense era as narrated by an Iranian lady-- Ayatollah Khamenei received Mr. Sarhangi and appreciated his efforts in leading the team of authors and literary experts on Sacred Defense. The following is a conversation that occurred between the Leader and Mr. Sarhangi:
Supreme Leader: The books that these ladies[2] have written--those I have read and seen--are among the best stories in terms of imagery and the like; they are not novels; rather they are memoirs. But they are truly beautiful. I really need to thank you for your work.
Mr. Sarhangi: No, I only serve the team by cleaning the floor under their footsteps [said in a gesture of humbleness and modesty about his role in the publication of the book].
Supreme Leader: It is ok, do it [leader and attendees laugh], but it was you who initiated the work, thanks be to God. I would like to say that you and Hedayatollah Behboudi[3] have carried out an important task so far. I was thinking that you should plan for the next twenty years—that is, you should set a twenty-year deadline for yourselves, set an outlook for yourselves—and God willing, you will continue to progress and move forward. You can do it, God willing. May God protect you.
[1] A book compiled by Ms. Mahnaz Fattahi containing the memoir of Ms. Faranguiss Heidar-Pour on the 8-year US-backed Saddam war on Iran.
[2] Authors of the books on Sacred Defense Era: Ms. Mahnaz Fattahi, Ms. Behnaz Zarrabizadeh, and Ms. Massoumeh Sepehri.
[3] An author in the field of The Culture and Literature of Resistance
