Wednesdays Workshops: Watchman's Week

In the Name of the Supreme Power, Allah
The thirteenth session of the 84th round of Congress 60’s educational workshops, held for both travelers and companions, began on Thursday, Ordibehesht 17th, 1404 at 10:00 AM. The session was led by Mr. Hossein Dezhakam as the master of the ceremony, with Mr. Jafar the traveler serving as the secretary. The agenda of the day was “Watchman’s Week.”

With strength drawn from the Supreme Power, Allah, we begin this session.
Hello friends, I am Hossein, a traveler and the guardian of this session. I kindly ask that we observe 14 seconds of silence to seek refuge in the Almighty for our liberation from our most powerful enemy—our own ignorance and unawareness. Thank you, dear friends.
I now request the honorable secretary to present the summary of the previous session and announce today's agenda. Thank you.

Hello friends, I am Hossein, a traveler. I hope you are all doing well; by the grace of God, I am doing well too. Today is May 7, 2025 (17th of Ordibehesht 1404). Here, you have turned on every fan, cooler, and ventilator you could—we are freezing here. Please turn off the ventilator at least so the noise in the hall settles.
Before I start speaking—before I get into the discussion—I want to clarify that it’s “Assistant Watchman,” not “Assistant of Watchman.” Just like “Assistant Professor,” the words are connected without pause. There is no break or pause between the two words. “Assistant Watchman” is said together as one phrase, immediately and continuously. This is important.
Now, before talking about the Watchman in the Watchman Week, about giving flowers, plaques, or trophies: the only thing you can give during Watchman Week is something that fits inside an envelope. Anything you want to give must fit inside these envelopes. If a flower fits inside, then give it; if an apartment fits inside, then give it—anything that fits inside the envelope. Do not give anything outside of an envelope.
For example, someone from a city like Ardabil ordered a big bouquet of flowers costing ten million tomans, or five million tomans for a large bouquet—what can they do with that? I love flowers, but I like flowers in the greenhouse, in the garden, or at home—not cut flowers given to me that dry up in a couple of days and get thrown away. Honestly, I asked, “How much did you pay for this?” and they said it doesn’t matter. I said, “No, tell me how much you paid.”

He said eight hundred tomans. I told him, You could have simply placed that 800,000 tomans in an envelope and handed it to me—I would have put it to good use. What should I do with flowers? They sit here for a night, and by the next morning, they’re wilted and thrown away.
At Congress 60, we’ve learned not to waste money. Even if you have plenty, it should be spent wisely—on things that truly matter and bring lasting results.
Money is not something trivial or dirty; it is sacred.
Some say money is like ‘the dirt on the palm of your hand,’ but I believe it is something noble. It is a means by which you can provide for your needs and build a decent life. Without money, how will you eat, clothe yourself, or have a place to live? How will you maintain dignity and honor?
This is a vital point to understand. As Trump once said—though he speaks often, some of his remarks are actually quite accurate—‘If you walk into a place without money, people will look at you and ask, “Who are you?” But if you’re wealthy, they’ll greet you warmly, saying, “It’s been a while! You look great!”’
That’s the reality. So let’s be mindful of how we use our resources.

And now, regarding this week’s agenda: The Week of the Watchman.
When I say that the Watchmen are the pillars of Congress 60, I’m not just being polite, exaggerating, or trying to glorify them. Not at all. This is the truth—they genuinely are the pillars of Congress 60. Each of them shoulders a major responsibility, managing large areas of work at the national level—and now, even at the international level.
Just consider: the Watchman of Guides, the Watchman of Parks, the Watchman of Finance, the Watchman of Sports, the Watchman of Worldview, the Watchman of the Female Companions, and so on. Each one plays a vital role, overseeing and maintaining the smooth operation of the entire system. Alongside them are the border-guards, who supervise the day-to-day functioning of each branch. Together, they keep the whole structure running.
This beautiful and well-structured system we’ve built in Congress 60 owes a lot to the language we chose to use. The terms we selected are free from any negative mental associations. When you hear the word Watchman, your mind remains clear—there are no preconceived notions attached to it. The word simply means someone who watches, observes, and sees.
If we had used the word manager, it wouldn’t carry the same impact. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have the best past experiences with that word. We’ve rarely encountered managers who lead from the heart. In most cases, the first thing a “manager” does is separate themselves from the people. That’s why we use the word Watchman instead—and the same thoughtful consideration went into all the other terms we use in Congress 60.

The Watchmen serve a role much like that of a legislative body—similar to the U.S. Congress, the Senate, or the Islamic Consultative Assembly. It's a council established to make overarching decisions, and this system helps prevent individual or arbitrary decision-making. In other words, it protects the organization from chaos and disorder by ensuring that decisions are made through structured consultation. This is one of the key roles of the Watchmen.
Another role they play is similar to that of ministers in a government. For instance, all the guides in Congress 60 operate under the oversight of a single Watchman, which is a nationwide responsibility—much like a minister overseeing an entire department across a country. So, as you can see, the Watchmen play a very constructive role. They work with commitment and effort, and this week has been designated to recognize them—a week that may well extend into two weeks to give them time to visit all the branches.
If we include the park locations, there are over 180 active branches. Mr. [Name] will later share the exact statistics, but roughly we have around 130 to 150 official branches. Each Watchman will visit several of them, sometimes seven to ten different branches across the country. These trips serve as a reset, a fresh round of supervision, and also an opportunity for all the members to get acquainted with the Watchmen. That way, if a decision is made tomorrow and someone hears "the Watchmen have decided," they won’t ask, "Who are the Watchmen? Where are they from?"—because they will know them, they will recognize them. It’s essential for everyone to understand the structure of Congress 60.
At this point in time, the Watchmen are truly carrying the weight of Congress 60 on their shoulders. They are the ones leading and guiding the system on multiple levels. And, of course, it requires divine grace to be granted the opportunity to serve other human beings. Service, at any level, is valuable and meaningful—but to reach this level of service, one must possess certain unique qualities.
That said, the position of Watchman is not permanent. Most Watchmen are eventually replaced, although a few are irreplaceable—founding figures who have been with us since the beginning and are considered immovable pillars of the organization. For others, the term of service is limited: they serve for a time, then step aside for new individuals to take their place.
And so, as of today, their nationwide tour begins.

The only person missing from among our Watchmen is Mr. William White (L. White), the Watchman of International Affairs for Congress 60. He asked me to extend his warm regards to all of you. Mr. William White has taken truly significant steps toward the internationalization of Congress 60. He has conducted major interviews, written important articles, and co-authored books with us. One of his notable contributions is a book he wrote himself—a Little Book on the thoughts of Dezhakam—which was published in the United States. He continues to pursue this work. At present, he is collaborating with Dr. Sarapas and another American doctor to compare Congress 60’s treatment method with all existing addiction treatment approaches currently used in the United States. Their aim is to examine and identify the reasons behind Congress 60’s success and growing global influence.

In a few moments, I’ll invite the Watchmen to come up and each give a brief talk. At the very least, they will share a few words—perhaps reflect on the past, how Congress 60 was founded, the path it has taken, and how it has evolved to reach where it is today. Consider this: it has been nearly 27 or 28 years since Congress 60 began back in 1998. We’ve come a long way—what we have now, we didn’t have back then. Everything started from zero. The Watchmen were selected in a very thoughtful and deliberate way, a method I always emphasize: first, I myself was chosen as the initial Watchman. Then, I selected the second Watchman. Together, we consulted and selected the third Watchman. The three of us then chose the fourth, and so on. Each time, it was through discussion and consensus that a new Watchman was selected.
That’s all I’ll say about the Watchmen for now—they will be visiting the branches and speaking in various cities. Just one request: please avoid exaggerated gestures like showering them with flower petals. Let's not create a tense or overly dramatic atmosphere. Try to keep things calm and appropriate, and focus on meaningful content. The Watchmen themselves will speak more about topics like music, live events, and other related matters.
Alright, it looks like Mr. Babak has something to say. And Mrs. Annie has also arrived—wonderful, wonderful. Thank you, thank you—please, go ahead. Thank you.

Alright, before we begin—so that we can have a joyful and uplifting session—Amin, dear, if the music group is ready, please have them perform a short piece, maybe three to five minutes, and then we’ll proceed with the Watchmen coming up and continue the program. Are they ready? Great, we’ll enjoy a brief four or five-minute music performance now. Two of our Congress 60 artists will be performing—Mr. Shams will be playing the percussion.
Let me also offer a clarification here: based on a decision made by Amin, who is also the Watchman for Music, we will not have any live music performances by our members during Watchman Week—not in any of the sessions throughout this entire week.

Alright, we kindly ask our esteemed Watchmen to come forward and take their places on stage. Now, where did our secretary go? Where is our secretary? Leave a seat open for him—come on, you need to write your report. Don’t push the secretary out. We told him earlier there might not be enough space, but now there is. Come and have a seat.
Now, we’d like to ask the Watchmen to introduce themselves one by one, in order.

Hello friends, I am Reza a traveler.
My addiction was opium (anti-x), and I have been on the journey for 7 months and 20 days. My guides were Mr. Salami and the late Mr. Lashkari. I am the Watchman of the Guides and am at your service.
Mr. Dezhakam: Thank you. Please say a few words.
Sir, if I may, it should be you who speaks, and we are here to listen. I’m very happy to see Mrs. Annie again after a long time. Also, I’d like to mention that Mr. Dezhakam always says to visit the branches to see how things are going. If there are any issues or suggestions, be sure to share them with the members.
I used to think that the reason we visit branches is to teach something to others; that’s part of it, but more importantly, it’s about learning how to build relationships with people. How we manage public relations. We should never look down on others or treat friends with superiority.
A while ago, I visited the Zahedan branch, and something there struck me deeply about the importance of what Congress 60 is doing. Mr. Dezhakam often says that inside every person, there is both good and bad. It matters which part of the person we connect with, and these teachings help us bring out the best part of ourselves.
The “Valleys” and concepts we talk about — when we hear them from outside, like “With movement, the way becomes clear,” or “I don’t know, with contemplation, structures begin”—might not immediately make sense to us. But when we enter Congress 60, something inside us starts to simmer, creating understanding.
One of the guides at Zahedan explained our rules well: that members must transcribe the CDs (lessons) to ignite this inner boiling. He told his pupil that he must transcribe the CDs, but the pupil refused. Later, at home, the pupil placed a gun on the CDs and took a photo to send to his guide, saying, “Next time you tell me to transcribe the CD, this is how I feel about it!”
What I want to say is the importance of the Valleys, and the journey a person must take — where they come from and where they must go. That person’s liberation is coming up soon. The question is, what understanding are we gaining in Congress 60, and how does this path continue?
This journey has been going on for 25 years. Mr. Dezhakam laid this foundation and is creating people who work for each other — all working together, coming from near and far.

Mr. Dezhakam: Reza, the others want to speak, too.
(Laughter from Mr. Dezhakam)
Reza: Sir, this was something I had to say. You gave me the floor first.
In short, I just want to thank you, your honorable family, and dear Amin for creating this enthusiasm for all of us so that we can enjoy this experience ourselves. Thank you.
 

Mr. Dezhakam, now Reza has spoken.
By the way, Zahedan used to be known as a prison city about fifty or sixty years ago.
So, that was a really good example of how encounters happen. We have many such encounters—times when people are upset or conflicts arise, and that’s how they act. There are many issues. Sometimes, in the women travelers’ section, a lot of problems are caused by the men; they behave like that. But eventually, they all calm down.
Please go ahead, Ali.

Hello friends, I am Ali, a traveler:
Thank you very much, Mr. Dezhakam. I would like to congratulate you on the week of the Watchmen. I also congratulate your honorable family and Mrs. Annie, who we’re very happy to see here today. Truly, all of this comes from the wisdom and management of Mr. Dezhakam.
We are very grateful that someone like Mr. Dezhakam, a capable manager and wise leader, is guiding us in Congress 60. All the structures in Congress 60—the Watchmen, the Guardians, the Guides—are designed by Mr. Dezhakam’s vision. This is a great source of pride, peace, and happiness for us, knowing that such a person is by our side leading us.
Mr. Dezhakam, I became a guide in 2001 (1380 in the Persian calendar). At that time, guides did not have scarves (shaal); they didn’t wear the orange scarves but instead used badges. Each guide was identified by their own anti-X—they could be a guide for opium, heroin, or pills. There were whole legions of heroin users, or pill users, or opium users, but this wasn’t a good experience.
I even brought a badge to show you, Mr. Dezhakam—a badge that said “Opium Guide” or “Assistant Opium Guide.”
Mr. Dezhakam: Sometimes they forgot to take it off and walked around the street with it on. Who was it that forgot?
Ali: It was Mr. Hossein Karimi, may God bless him; he went out in public with the “Heroin Guide” badge, and people stared at him, “Heroin Guide.”
Mr. Dezhakam: Well, you took good care of him!

Hello friends, I am Ahmad, a traveler:
I extend my congratulations to all the dear members of Congress 60, to Mr. Dezhakam, and to his honorable family. I was especially happy to see Mrs. Annie again after a long time. She will always have a special place in all our hearts. She has made incredible efforts for the family group, and truly, there’s a whole world of things one could say about the services this family has provided to humanity.
This is the mercy of God that has been extended to all of us. Sometimes, in interviews or other places, I get asked, “Why do you always start your talks by thanking Mr. Dezhakam and his family?” I tell them, “Well, God Himself says that if you want to thank Me, then thank My creation. Don’t forget where you were, who you were, and what state you were in when you entered Congress 60.”
Don’t forget where you’ve come from, no matter what service role or position you reach. That sense of remembrance is like an anchor—it can really come to your aid in tough times. It reminds us that we are in this space to be useful to one another, not to be important.
We’re here to be helpful, to have an impact, and to support each other.
I also congratulate Mr. William White on Watchmen’s Week. He’s made many great efforts, as have all the honorable colleagues. I’m truly happy. It’s God’s grace that has allowed me and others to be in service to the members, to learn for ourselves, and God willing, to grow as well.
Thank you.

Hello friends, I am Shani, a companion
I congratulate all dear members on this special week. God willing, may the presence and guidance of our elders always remain with us. Truly, woe to a people who are left without a guiding elder. I thank God first and foremost for the blessing of having Mr. Dezhakam as our father and leader, and also for the fourteen powerful Watchmen of Congress 60 who serve with their whole hearts.
Each one of them gives their all in service, and I believe it is our shared duty—whether as family members, friends, or students—to do whatever we can in our own roles to help smooth the path for these beloved individuals.
Thank you. I am truly grateful.

Hello friends, I am Majid, a traveler
Thank you for giving me a moment of the session. I’d like to congratulate Mr. Dezhakam on Watchman Week, and before anything else, I wish a happy Teachers’ Day to all teachers, all guides, Mrs. Annie, Mr. Amin, and most importantly, to Mr. Dezhakam himself.
We should take advantage of moments like these—not just use them, but truly make the most of them—so I thought I’d offer my congratulations here and now. Mr. Dezhakam hasn’t just guided us in overcoming addiction; he’s shown us the way out of darkness, taught us how to live rightly, and opened the door to an entirely new world for us.
It’s as if we’re a little different from others out there. We share certain perspectives and outlooks that make people outside laugh or say we’re completely out of touch, as the saying goes.
I also extend my congratulations on Watchman Week to all my fellow colleagues in Congress 60, especially the Watchmen, and at the top of the list, to Mr. Dezhakam and his honorable family. I thank God for granting us the opportunity to serve, and I’m deeply grateful to Mr. Dezhakam for creating a space where we can both serve and learn. That second part—learning—is especially important to me. Personally, it means a great deal.

Let me share a story. Every year, you [Mr. Dezhakam] say, "Tell something to make the guys laugh." The session’s been quite mystical and spiritual so far—let’s lighten it up a bit.
One day, I was with Mr. Dezhakam and a guide, and someone had brought a newcomer who needed help. Mr. Dezhakam prescribed him a “Travel on X” and assigned him a guide, saying, “Here’s your journey, and this will be your guide. Off you go.”
The newcomer left the room. Then the guide turned to Mr. Dezhakam and asked, “Sir, what am I supposed to do with him now?” Mr. Dezhakam jokingly said, “Take him up to the top of Milad Tower and throw him off!” We all knew he was joking, and even he started laughing right after. But I told him, “Sir, maybe don’t say that—some of the guys might not realize you’re joking!”
He laughed again and said, “Why not?” I replied, “Well, one of the guys from the publications team told me a funny story. Back when the D.SAP cream had just come out, he said, ‘I was always looking for an excuse—any excuse—to get just five minutes with Mr. Dezhakam whenever I came to Tehran. One day, I thought of something. I bought a D.SAP cream, just so I could ask him what to do with it.’”
He waited for a good moment, then went to Mr. Dezhakam and said, “Sir, I bought this cream—what should I do with it?”
Mr. Dezhakam, probably busy and distracted, said jokingly, “What should you do with it? Just put a spoonful in water and drink it.”
Now, Majid Salami wasn’t around at the time to stop him or explain things properly. So, the guy goes back to his hometown that night, pours the cream into water—but it won’t dissolve. So he boils some water, lets it bubble for a bit, and somehow manages to melt the cream into it. Then he drinks it!
About 30 to 45 minutes later—bam! Intense stomach cramps. And what does he say? “May God bless Mr. Dezhakam’s father—what a miracle medicine! It’s cleansing my entire digestive system!”
The next night, he takes it again. This time, the side effects hit even harder—sorry to say, severe diarrhea and cramps—but still he’s saying, “What a medicine Mr. Dezhakam’s invented!”
Then, on Wednesday, he comes back to Tehran, finds Mr. Dezhakam, and says, “Sir, thank you! This medicine is amazing—cleans me right out every time I take it!”
Mr. Dezhakam replies, “What medicine are you taking?”
He says, “The cream, the one you told me to mix in water and drink.”
And Mr. Dezhakam says, “My good man, you don’t drink the cream! You’re supposed to rub it on your hands and face!”
Of course, the guy who drank it had done even crazier things in the past—but that’s a story for another time.
Thank you very much.

Hello friends, I’m Annie, a companion.
That was such a good laugh, Mr. Salami—thank you!
I’d also like to congratulate everyone on Watchman Week: all the members, the Watchmen, and of course, my father. I truly thank God for allowing us to benefit from the teachings of Congress 60 and from my father’s mentors, and for helping us reach this point.
I hope we can serve well. I’ve now been assigned as the head of the Companions' Division, but honestly, this is not a one-person job—one hand alone makes no sound. All the companions serving across all branches—guides, camp-guards, agents, assistant aides—everyone is working hard, every single day, to keep this system running, to serve countless human beings.
God willing, this path will continue, and we’ll be able to serve along it. I’m truly happy.
Thank you for listening to me.

Hello friends, I’m Annie, a traveler.
Hello to all of you. I’m so happy that I was able to be here today and to be among you again after quite some time.
I truly don’t know how to express my gratitude to each and every one of you—because you are all so dear to us. You’ve endured hardships and pains that, honestly, we’ve only experienced to a much lesser extent.
If we’ve been able to walk this path, it’s all thanks to Mr. Dezhakam—and we must be deeply grateful—because this is a path that leads us all to the straight way. And in that, there is great joy for us—and you are walking it with us.
God willing, you’ll all remain steadfast, and those who join us along the way will walk it just the same. I pray that all of you stay healthy and well, and that you continue helping us on this path.
Thank you.

Hello friends, I’m Amin, a traveler.
I’d like to congratulate Mr. Dezhakam and all our dear Watchmen colleagues on Watchman Week. I’m also very happy that Mrs. Annie is here today in this session—her own session—and I’d like to sincerely thank Shani for putting in the effort to bring her mother.
The things that happen in Congress 60—the movement and actions of the Watchmen—are gradually taking on a deeper meaning for me. One of the great qualities of Congress 60, in my opinion, is this: the higher a person’s position becomes, the greater their responsibility, their duty, and their effort. That’s a wonderful trait for any system to have. When individuals grow and develop through training, and as they advance, they take on more responsibility and strive even harder—this is a sign of a strong structure.
A while ago, one of the guys was talking to me about his prayers and supplications. He said, “I’ve asked God for many things, and I still ask—but some of them don’t get answered.” I told him, “Here in Congress 60, our view is that we serve not because we want God to give us something new, but because of what He’s already given us. If we’re serving people and making efforts, it’s out of gratitude for what we already have in our lives—not for things we’ve requested and are waiting to receive.”
Our structure—our Watchmen—work incredibly hard and make great efforts. Most of them are deeply connected to the people, and they must have that quality. Above all, they should be able to form strong and meaningful connections with others—so that they can truly reach them and offer them the teachings they need.

Well, in the early days of Congress 60, things weren’t like they are now. Most of what we have today came little by little through experience. Let me share a short memory from the time the first Congress 60 camp was held.
We didn’t have anything back then. Just one Nissan pickup truck, and one BMW that belonged to Mr. Majdian—Ali Majdian had brought it. There were about eight or nine of us squeezed into that one Nissan as we headed to the camp.
That camp was held in really tough conditions—we were in tents, it was cold, and to stay warm, we really needed firewood. But of course, we wouldn’t go cutting down any live trees, so we were searching for dry ones.
One day, Mr. Sasan and I found a tree and grabbed a saw. We started cutting—it had been about twenty minutes, we were sweating, and we’d managed to cut maybe a third of the way through. I told Mr. Sasan, “Another forty minutes and we’ll have it down.”
Just then, Mr. Reza Tarabkhani came by, picked the tree up from the ground, and carried it away. Turned out, the tree had no roots—it was already completely dry and loose! We had been sawing away for nothing. I looked at Mr. Sasan and said, “This guy’s got a bright future—he’s really sharp!”
Apparently, all the trees in that area were already dried out, and Mr. Reza had mastered the skill of finding and burning them—he was a pro by then.
Anyway, I hope all of you stay safe and healthy, and I wish you a wonderful week ahead. Thank you!

Hello friends, I’m Ali, a traveler.
First, I’d like to congratulate everyone on the occasion of Watchmen Appreciation Week, especially my fellow Watchmen and dear Mrs. Annie, who is with us here today.
I’ve been given the opportunity to serve in the Watchmen group responsible for park affairs, and I’m currently working in that area. I hope I can fulfill my duties there properly and effectively.
Now, as for a little memory—I remember when we were looking for a place for the Parastar branch. I told the guys to go out and find a suitable spot, since we used to meet in Parastar Park before. They came back and said, “We’ve found a place, let’s go take a look.” I said, “Alright, let’s go see it.”
When we got there and I took a look around, I realized it was the exact same spot where we used to go to use drugs. Our school was nearby too—it used to be called Iran-America School, now it’s called Modarres. The Moeiniyeh Clinic was also there, with a garden, and that whole area had been our hangout. I saw the house of the Salamians there, and one of them—Salamian—used to use drugs with us. He passed away; may God bless his soul.
It was really striking for me—to be back in the exact place where it had all started.
Thank you.

Hello friends, I’m Ali, a traveler.
I’m truly happy to be here with you dear ones today. I’d like to congratulate Mr. Dezhakam on Watchmen Appreciation Week, as well as his entire family—thankfully, we’re blessed to have all his family members with us here today. I’m especially glad to have had the honor of seeing Mrs. Annie; I have great admiration and respect for her.
I also congratulate my fellow Watchmen and each and every one of you dear friends.
Let me just add one line to what Master Amin shared earlier: one of the trees that Mr. Torabkhani burned that day… well, one of the guys had changed his clothes to go for a swim and had hung his watch on that very tree. That watch ended up burning too!

Let me share a memory. We were the first group of branch-guards at the Academy branch, appointed by Mr. Dezhakam. Back then, when the treasury contributions were collected, there weren’t even any bank accounts. Everything was kept and spent directly from a basket. The total amount in the treasury sometimes didn’t even reach a thousand one-toman coins. Many of the members didn’t have much, and they’d drop in fifty torn or halved one-toman notes into the basket. Practically every treasury had a few ripped bills.
Keep these numbers in mind.
After a while, we reached a point where the entire capital of Congress 60—which didn’t own any property at the time—amounted to 40 million tomans in cash. A bank account had just been opened. I used to assist Mr. Salami with banking matters, along with a few others. But on the day I’m recalling, none of the others were around, and Mr. Salami wasn’t there either because of his work at the pharmacy.
We were supposed to transfer the organization’s funds from one bank to another that offered better terms. So, I wrote a check—made out to the bearer—for the full amount: 40 million tomans. I had already gotten Mr. Salami’s signature. I took the check to Mr. Dezhakam and said, “Sir, this is the check we need. Could you please sign it? I’m about to transfer the account.” He was aware and signed it right away.
I joked and said, “If you don’t see me again, please forgive me.”
He didn’t get it at first and asked, “Why?”
I said, “Well, it’s a bearer check. I could cash it and never come back.”
He patted me on the shoulder and said, “Go on, go! It’s only 40 million. Even if it were 40 billion, you’d come back.”
I swear to God, I couldn’t even fathom that amount at the time. I didn’t think I’d live long enough to see the day when Congress 60 would own 40 billion tomans. But today, thanks to Mr. Dezhakam’s wisdom, just one of the properties Congress 60 owns is probably worth over 100 billion tomans. Across our more than 100 branches throughout the country, many of them are built on land that we now own—either donated by friends or purchased—and we have fully built structures.
What Congress 60 possesses today is far beyond what we could have ever imagined, even with over two decades of experience in the organization.
Mr. Dezhakam, I am deeply grateful. Thank you for giving me the chance to serve, for bearing with my mistakes, and for giving me the opportunity to make up for them. And of course, the story is still unfolding.
Thank you very much, sir.

Hello friends, I’m Alireza, a traveler.
I’d like to begin by congratulating Mr. Dezhakam on this beautiful day, as well as his esteemed mentors and the honorable Mrs. Annie—whose presence here has truly completed our joy. I also extend my congratulations to Mr. Dezhakam’s respected family and to Master Amin on this special occasion.
All of us strive to align ourselves with Mr. Dezhakam’s way of thinking—to draw ourselves closer to his philosophy. The respect I, Alireza, receive today is all rooted in the broader respect that surrounds Mr. Dezhakam himself.
The Watchmen are the future of Congress 60. When you attend a Watchmen’s council meeting, Mr. Dezhakam always says, “Pass laws with the future in mind.” That’s why the Watchmen truly represent the future of Congress 60.
On the surface, Watchmen may appear as separate, individual pillars standing apart. But in reality, they are all connected at the root. They are one.
A few months ago, Mr. Dezhakam entrusted me with a message he had prepared for the Legion of Sardar, and I received it quite unexpectedly. In that message, Mr. Dezhakam emphasizes something he strongly believes:
“The honor of places lies in the people who inhabit them—those who are whole and bring life to ruins, and those who are broken and destroy what is already whole.”
And here in Congress 60, we are learning just that.
Mr. Dezhakam says that in order to create true transformation and construction, three key elements are required:
1. Knowledge — something that belongs uniquely to Mr. Dezhakam. He is a true scholar—possessing knowledge that specifically heals those in pain. Others may be researchers, but his knowledge is lived and applicable.
2. Human resources — the force of committed individuals.
3. Financial contribution — which creates the infrastructure for honest service to flourish.
I want to thank Mr. Dezhakam again. In all these years that I’ve been serving in the Legion of Sardar, every time I travel to the north or south of the country and see our dear friends actively participating in the Legion, only two phrases come to mind:
“God is Great, God is Great,”
and
“What is real is love; what is not, is empty vessels.”
The space that Mr. Dezhakam has created through the Legion of Sardars has allowed people like me—Alireza—to experience the joy of giving. Once again, I sincerely thank Mr. Dezhakam and wish all of you continued success.
Thank you very much.

Hello friends, I’m Asghar, a traveler.
I also extend my congratulations to all our dear ones on Watchman’s Week—first and foremost to Mr. Dezhakam, to Mrs. Annie, and to all the esteemed colleagues.
In one of his CDs, Master Amin says that God told the Prophet: “Did We not expand your chest for you? And relieve you of your burden?”
I was thinking about how this same thing, in a way, has happened to us in Congress 60—perhaps on a smaller scale. Many of our problems, especially our addiction, have been resolved. Many challenges in our lives—things we never imagined we could overcome—are gradually being resolved.
Our fears have faded away, our feelings of worthlessness have transformed into dignity, and we’ve been granted so many blessings that we’re grateful for today. And all of this stems from the great wisdom and knowledge of Mr. Dezhakam and the support of his honorable family.
God willing, I hope I can remain within this circle and continue learning even more.

Mr. Dezhakam, if I may, I’d like to share a memory.
About thirteen years ago, when we first built the Salman branch in Isfahan, we had a neighbor who—well, to be fair, it was mostly our fault—we had a lot of birthday celebrations and there were constant tensions. We ended up going to court seven, eight, maybe even ten times over the disputes.
After about two years, Mr. Dezhakam came to visit Isfahan. After the session ended, he went up to the rooftop. We had invited that very neighbor to join us as well. When he came up and met Mr. Dezhakam, I told Mr. Dezhakam, “This is the gentleman we’ve been having issues with.”
Mr. Dezhakam got up and walked over to him in a very particular way. The first thing he said was: “Hello.” The man was taken aback and replied, “Hello.”
Then Mr. Dezhakam said, “Do you want to fight me?”
The man quickly responded, “No, no!”
He said, “Then let’s make peace.” And with that, he hugged him.
A couple of days later, I ran into that neighbor in the alley. He greeted me and said, “May God help you all.”
I asked, “Why?”
He said, “Since that night, I’ve lost twenty kilos!”
Wishing you all continued success. Thank you.

Hello friends, I’m Babak, a traveler.
May I speak?
Mr. Dezhakam: Yes, please go ahead.
I’m truly happy to be part of this session today. What makes me even happier is the presence of the esteemed Mrs. Annie. Just a few days ago, while we were preparing the display you now see behind us—which was designed to help all Congress 60 members become more familiar with the services provided by our respected Watchmen—I remember sitting at the computer with the team as they worked, and I said, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if Mrs. Annie could attend the Watchmen's session in person?” And thank God, it actually happened.
I wish her the very best, especially good health, and I hope she continues to be present at the Watchmen’s celebrations for many years to come, so we can be by her side and enjoy her presence.
I congratulate all travelers and companions of Congress 60 on Watchman’s Week, especially Mr. Dezhakam, the senior Watchmen, and all my dear colleagues.

If I may, since the air conditioners are off and I don’t want to take too much of the session’s time, instead of sharing a memory—especially since I have less seniority compared to the others and probably don’t have as many old stories—I’d like to share something I’ve learned during these past few years as a Watchman. I often repeat this in the branches I visit, mainly as a reminder to myself.
Before becoming a Watchman, I used to think the most important people in Congress 60 were the Watchmen. But after stepping into this role and spending time alongside Mr. Dezhakam—who, truly, calling him a sea of knowledge or an ocean of wisdom still wouldn’t do justice to his depth and capacity—I came to learn something important. From being around the other Watchmen, I realized that the most important members of Congress 60 are the first-travelers. The most important members are the newcomers.
Because when you set aside the years of research and study Mr. Dezhakam has done, the core essence of Congress 60 is the treatment of addiction. That’s the gateway through which people come into Congress. They first arrive to treat their addiction, and then, over time, they begin to benefit from worldview training and gradually learn how to become better human beings. But the primary essence is still addiction treatment.
So, if that’s the essence, then the most important individuals are those who are here for treatment. And for all of us who serve, including myself, it’s important to always remember that. Holding a position in Congress and serving in such roles is indeed deeply rewarding and brings peace of mind in the end—but if I ever forget this truth and cling to the position itself, then the sash around my neck, regardless of its color, is just a simple piece of cloth.
I wish everyone success. I hope you all enjoy the Watchman Week celebrations. I’m truly grateful to Mr. Dezhakam for allowing me to walk alongside the more experienced members during this term and giving me the opportunity to learn so much. I wish the very best for all of you.
And—pardon me for adding one more thing—Mehdi Sancholi really wanted to be here today. I believe he had even made arrangements with you, Mr. Dezhakam. But something came up unexpectedly and although he had his ticket, he wasn’t able to make it. So on his behalf, I extend his congratulations as well.

Hello friends, I am Mehdi, a traveler.
May I have the floor?
Mr. Dezhakam: Yes, please, go ahead.
I am truly grateful to God and very happy that the great Mrs. Annie is here with us today. I thank God for this and wish her good health.
I don’t want to take up too much time in the session, but I want to congratulate the dear Watchmen, my esteemed colleagues, and the veterans from whom I continue to learn and grow. First and foremost, congratulations to Mr. Dezhakam.
I have many memories in my mind, but since the older ones are a bit longer, I’m setting them aside for now. The others tell me, “Don’t say all of them one by one.” So I’m bringing you the freshest, most recent one, which happened maybe just a week or two ago. I told Mr. Amin about it, and he said, “Definitely bring it up and share it during the Watchman celebration.”

Well, when our dear members come for the interview — the interview for the green sash — a few of us, including myself, have noticed a very thoughtful plan that Mr. Dezhakam put in place for these interviews. It’s truly a magnificent, beautiful, high-level, and classy process. Personally, I really enjoy it. And I know the ones who come for the interviews, from the way they speak and behave, can clearly see how much the level of the work has changed and how beautiful these interviews have become in the guides’ section.
Sometimes, I ask a question or two to the guys during the interview. For example, I ask, “Who is the financial Watchman? Who is the disciplinary Watchman?” Some know, some don’t. One time, I asked one of the fellows, “Who is the Watchman of the newcomers?” He looked at me and said, “He kind of looks like Mr. Torabkhani.” I said, “Okay, but what’s his name?” He said, “Please don’t rush me, please don’t rush me.” I said, “Alright, no problem. Do you at least remember his name?” He paused, looked down, and said, “Honestly, I forgot.” I said, “Well, since I’m sitting right in front of you interviewing you, who do you think I am?” He said, “I know you well.” I said, “Good, I’m glad you recognize me. Now, tell me, who am I?” He said, “You’re Mr. Ashkazari.” I said, “What should I do with you then? Fail you or pass you in this interview?”
Truly, I’m grateful to Mr. Dezhakam. If the most beautiful moments of each of our lives are shaped here in Congress 60, we owe all of it to this great man and his honorable family.
Congratulations to all of you, and thank you, sir, for your time and the chance to share.

Hello friends, I’m Mohammad Sadegh, a traveler.
I am also a Watchman of the Disciplinary Legions. I’ve never held the microphone like this with it off before!
Let me share a very short memory about one of the guys. Mahmoud Hosseini was telling me a few days ago about something that happened. He said he had gone somewhere for a memorial ceremony in a mosque, and the person sitting at the front said, “Peace be upon you, O Aba Abdillah al-Hussain.” Suddenly, Mahmoud stood up and said loudly, “Hello, Hussain!”
I said that because back in the old days, in the metro, we used to listen to CDs and cassettes with walkmans. Once, I was sitting in the metro, and Mr. Dezhakam greeted us on the cassette, and I immediately said aloud, “Hello, Hussain!” Everyone looked at me.
I want to sincerely thank Mr. Dezhakam and his honorable family. I’m very happy that today Mrs. Annie is here with us — I’m truly delighted. I hope I can serve in this position as best as I can and do something meaningful for those who come after us.
Today, we are guests of a host named History. History will clarify and record everything as it goes on. I hope I take the right steps and serve alongside my fellow colleagues.
Again, thank you very much, sir.

Hello friends, I’m Hossein, a traveler.
Well, the power went out in the middle of the session, but thankfully it didn’t cause us any problems. We managed to continue, and the sharing was good. I’ll try to finish the session quickly because outside the noise is loud and disturbing.
Since it’s hot in the hall and the noise from outside is bothering everyone, I kindly ask the Watchmen to come up one by one to receive their gifts and then either sit down or leave.
Dear friends, because of the power outage, some people are having difficulties and problems. I hope all the dear Watchmen who are traveling to different cities, visiting branches, and delivering the message keep up their good work.
For some reasons, we don’t have live music today. Also, I remind you to avoid anything too exciting—no giving flowers, gifts, or certificates. Let’s keep this session simple and cozy, not too formal or ceremonious, so it doesn’t become like an NGO event.
It was good that the music group performed at the start; at least that saved the program from falling apart.
I entrust all of you to the Almighty, and with the recitation of the Congress 60 prayer, we will conclude the session.

Transcribed by Elahe, Newcomers’ Guide and Companion, Molla Sadra Branch
Translated by: Companion Marjan

5/17/2025

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