I attended first grade in Aran and Bidgol. My father was a cleric. In 1355 [1976], he decided to move his life to Qom to pursue studies at the seminary.
Qom, Chahar Mardan Street, Eshgh-Ali Alley, a four-meter dead end.
The door to our house was a dark green. The door to the opposite house was light green. Our door was iron. The door across was wooden.
One of the main traits of our opposite neighbor was that he was never seen.
We occasionally saw his children, but he himself never appeared in public.
If he ever basked in the sun, it was not the sun of the alley. It was the sun of the prison.
Yes, he was always in prison.
In 56 [1977], whispers of revolution began. In 57 [1978], demonstrations intensified. The area around our house became a center for anti-Shah protests.
Most days featured clashes, shootings, tear gas, chases, and more.
Schools were on strike and closed.
Saeid, the teenage son of the house across from us, was among the leaders of the demonstrations in our neighborhood. He had a fearless heart.
In Aban of 57 [November 1978], early morning, I was still asleep when my father’s friend came and quietly told my father that Mr. Montazeri had been released.
I jumped up. I don’t remember if I washed my face or not. I don’t remember if I wore my pants or went out in my pajamas.
The door of the house across was open. I went inside and found the room where Montazeri was sitting.
People were not yet aware of his release. Montazeri sat in a corner of a room about twelve meters in size. A cleric I didn’t recognize had come to see him. He had beaten me to Montazeri’s presence.
I don’t recall if I said hello or not. I entered the room and sat near the door. My gaze fixed on Montazeri’s face. In the few years since we had become their neighbors, this was the first time I had seen him.
Mr. Montazeri was famous even then, but he became even more renowned later, to such an extent that our neighbor became the second highest-ranking person in the country. I testify that he regarded the world as nothing. Montazeri trampled the world. He spoke the truth and divorced the world.
Montazeri rushed to meet his maker seven years ago on a day like this.
May his soul rest in peace,
Mohammad Mahdavifar
28th of Azar 1395 [December 18, 2016]