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Funeral ceremonies for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei began in Tehran on Saturday, drawing thousands of mourners to honour the 86-year-old leader, who was killed in US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February.
Khamenei’s coffin, draped in the flag of the Islamic Republic and topped with his signature black turban, was carried into Tehran’s Grand Mosalla complex as the public mourning began. Beside it were the coffins of several relatives killed in the same attacks, including the small flag-draped coffin of his 14-month-old granddaughter, displayed with a framed photograph of the child.
The sight of the tiny coffin became one of the most emotional moments of the ceremony, as mourners filed past in silence or raised their hands in prayer. Many in the crowd appeared visibly moved by the presence of the child’s remains alongside those of the Iranian leader.
Khamenei’s remains arrived in Tehran on Friday, marking the start of six days of public funeral ceremonies that will continue across several cities in Iran before extending into neighbouring Iraq. The official programme calls for a series of processions and memorial events before burial later in the week.
Large crowds had gathered outside the Grand Mosalla overnight, with authorities expecting between 15 and 20 million people to attend ceremonies in Tehran over the next three days. As the venue opened, thousands streamed into the sprawling complex carrying red banners, a symbol associated with calls for vengeance. Many chanted “Death to America” and “Revenge, revenge”, according to AFP.
“I am here to say goodbye to my beloved leader Ali Khamenei. I never expected to see such a day. I wish I had died before this tragedy,” a 27-year-old mourner told the Associated Press.
Senior Iranian leaders attended the ceremony, including Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who appeared visibly emotional. Also present was Ahmad Vahidi, recently appointed commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards after his predecessor was killed in the same strikes that claimed Khamenei’s life.
India was represented at the ceremony by Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita.
According to the official schedule, Khamenei’s coffin will remain in Tehran until Monday before a funeral procession through the capital. It will then travel to the religious city of Qom on Tuesday, followed by visits to holy cities in Iraq on Wednesday. He is scheduled to be buried on Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad in northeastern Iran.
The funeral ceremonies come at a time of heightened regional tensions following the strikes that killed Khamenei and several senior Iranian military figures, with the large public turnout underscoring the significance of the event for the country’s leadership and supporters. Source- NDTV
