In subsequent years Abdi became one of the strongest voices against the Islamic regime's authoritarian tendencies. After he criticized the ruling clergy for steering the country away from democracy six years ago, hardliners handed him an eight-month prison sentence. Undeterred, Abdi emerged as one of the main theoreticians of the reform movement. He served as a strategist behind President Mohammed Khatami's upset election victory in 1997 over a conservative rival. But as Abdi pursued internal political reforms and detente with the West, the hardline camp struck back again.
Reform is accomplished if the government achieves what people demand.
We do not mean a specific agenda. We mean that parliament approves laws based on the public's demand, laws that are suitable to the social conditions. If this happens, the gap between the government and the public diminishes. This is reform. Reform is not a movement that will happen overnight.