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With Support, Motahari, and Two Ahmads

Jan 25, 2026 January 25, 2026 3 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

The article describes a surreal dream involving prominent Iranian clerics Ahmad Alamolhoda and Ahmad Khatami discussing a controversial street concert permit in Tehran. The dream highlights tensions within the clerical establishment regarding cultural policies and foreign influences. This matters as it reflects ongoing debates within Iran about governance and public expression.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The dream illustrates the deep-seated tensions within Iran's clerical establishment regarding cultural governance and foreign influence.

👥 Key Players

Ahmad Alamolhoda MENTIONED
Friday prayer leader of Mashhad
"A significant clerical figure who influences public opinion and cultural policies in Iran."
Ahmad Khatami MENTIONED
Friday prayer leader of Tehran
"A prominent cleric known for his conservative views and influence over Tehran's religious and political landscape."
Ali Motahari MENTIONED
Conservative politician and cleric
"Known for his outspoken views and role in Iranian politics, representing a faction within the clerical establishment."

📰 What Happened

The article describes a surreal dream involving a conversation between two influential clerics about a controversial street concert permit in Tehran, highlighting tensions over cultural policies and foreign influences.

  • The dream reflects internal conflicts within the Iranian clerical establishment regarding public expression.
  • The discussion touches on the influence of foreign powers, particularly the British, on Iranian cultural issues.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This highlights the ongoing struggle within Iran's clerical leadership over cultural policies and public expression, which could impact social stability.
🌍 Regional: The internal divisions may affect Iran's regional posture and its relations with neighboring countries.
🌐 International: Internationally, this reflects the complexities of Iran's governance and cultural policies, which are often scrutinized by Western nations.

📚 Background

Iran's clerical establishment plays a crucial role in shaping the country's cultural and political landscape, often leading to conflicts over modernity and tradition.

Cultural policies in Iran Influence of clerics in Iranian politics
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The article presents a fictionalized account that reflects real tensions within Iranian society but may not represent factual events.

I dreamed that I had an informal meeting with Mr. Ahmad Alamolhoda, the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad, and Ahmad Khatami, the Friday prayer leader of Tehran, on the sidelines of the nationwide assembly of Friday prayer leaders. The Ayatollahs did not consider me important at all and were talking to each other. Ahmad Alamolhoda said to Ahmad Khatami: "Ahmad, I am very upset with you for issuing this permit for the street concert in Tehran." Ahmad Khatami replied: "Ahmad, shut up! You turned Mashhad into a harem for Iraqis, and now you come to me with your hand out?" Alamolhoda pointed his thumb at Khatami and said: "Come here!" Khatami got upset and said: "How shameless! This time I went to the house; if I don't tell my master, I won't cook you a meal!" Alamolhoda said: "I mean, come forward so I can explain to you. This kid, the calf, is sitting here listening." and pointed to me. I jumped in and said: "Excuse me, but you also showed your thumb to Haj Agha." I wanted to ask for a check when Alamolhoda leaned his head close to Khatami's ear and started whispering, but by God's permission, I could hear him: "Ahmad, that issue with the Iraqis has a religious justification, secondly, the needs of Muslims must be met, thirdly, if we don't provide them with these facilities, what should we do, hold concerts for them? Fourthly, as I said in Friday prayers, it's the work of the British." Khatami said: "Well done, Ahmad!" I said: "Haj Agha, can you tell me how you determined it was the work of the British and not the Americans?" Khatami replied: "Well done! What are you saying, Ahmad?" Alamolhoda shot me a glare and, by God's permission, turned into Ali Motahari and said to me: "Congratulations on the happy Eid of Ghadir Khum for being a foolish idiot!" Ahmad Khatami said: "Ali Agha, where is that cleric who came with you? Tell him to put this in a bag; he talks too much nonsense," and pointed to me. Ali Motahari said: "As Martyr Motahari said before the explosion, opposing is one of the most nerve-wracking creatures of God. Give me a 'T'!" He was addressing me. I said: "Oh, is this a poetry contest?" Khatami said: "You burned! You burned!" and said to Motahari: "Teaching and learning is worship. Now you give a 'T'." Motahari said: "Ball, tank, firecracker, our referee..." I jumped in: "I should give? They took everything from me, that unfaithful friend." Motahari said: "You foolish idiot! Get up and go into the bag!" By God's permission, with a gesture from Motahari, Ahmad Khatami's cloak flew away and turned into a bag. Khatami said: "Are you going in or should I get up?" I said: "Can't I come every other week to participate in the political-religious Friday prayer ceremonies and thus support the system?" Motahari yelled: "You shameless bastard! Don't you know I'm sensitive to the word support?" I said: "Come on, they wear that support... it's different, I swear!" With the repetition of the word 'support', suddenly Ali Motahari, by God's permission, turned into thousands of small wearable supports and scattered on the ground. Ahmad Khatami screamed: "For God's sake, don't mess with me!" While I was trying my best not to mess with Ahmad Khatami, I woke up.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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