Chafiah[1]

It was the end of the year 1360 AHS. Ibrahim was on leave. It was late at night when he came home. We talked a little. Then I saw there was a large bunch of banknotes in his pocket! I asked him, “By the way brother, where do you get this much money from?! I have seen a few times now that you help people, you spend for the religious gatherings, and now you have this much money in your pocket!” Then I said as a joke, “Tell me the truth. Have you found a treasure?!” Ibrahim laughed and said, “No, the friends give me this money, and they themselves tell me where to spend it.” The next day we went to the bazaar with Ibrahim. We passed by a few corridors and markets and arrived at the intended store. It was a rather big store. The old man who owned the store and his workers shook hands and kissed Ibrahim one by one. It was obvious that they knew Ibrahim well. After some everyday talk, Ibrahim said, “Sir, if God wishes, I am going to Gilan Gharb tomorrow.” The old man said, “Dear Ibram, do you need anything for the forces?” Ibrahim brought out a paper from his pocket, gave it to the old man and said, “Besides these few things we need a video camera, because this bravery and heroism should be recorded. The people who will live in the future should know how this religion and country were protected.” Then he continued, “We need a large number of Chafiahs for the soldiers themselves too.” At this time the owner’s son who was listening to Ibrahim’s words came forward and said, “Needing a camera is one thing, but Mr. Ibram why do you want Chafiahs?! Do you want to wear a shawl around your neck like ruffians and idle people?!” Ibrahim paused a little and said, “Brother, a Chafiah is not a shawl. When the soldiers make the minor ablution, a Chafiah is a towel for them. When they pray, it is a praying mat. When they are injured, they dress their wound with a Chafiah, and…” The old man who was the owner of the store jumped in the middle of his words and said, “Ok Mr. Ibram, we will prepare that too.” I was in front of the door of the house the next day before noontime. The old man came with a pickup truck full of a load. I went into the house quickly and called Ibrahim. The old man delivered a camera and some other equipment to Ibrahim and said, “Dear Ibram, this is a pickup truck full of Chafiahs.” Later Ibrahim explained for me, “We used those Chafiahs for the Fath al-Mobin Operation.” Gradually, using a Chafiah became a characteristic feature of the Islamic forces.

[1] A Chafiah is a neck scarf which the Basiji soldiers usually used.