Play store
Quran verses recited for foreign delegations attending the funeral of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei have sparked debate after Iranian media and social media users argued the passages were carefully chosen to send political and diplomatic messages to visiting officials.
Organizers did not explain why different Quranic passages were recited for each delegation. However, several Iranian media outlets portrayed the selections as deliberate rather than routine religious readings.
The news website Fararu wrote that the verses appeared to have been chosen “not randomly, but deliberately.” Conservative outlet Tabnak described the practice as “an innovation in public diplomacy,” saying the tailored recitations could be interpreted as ethical and political messages to each delegation.
The verse that drew the greatest attention was recited as Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed bin Abdulkarim approached Khamenei’s coffin.
The passage, Verse 13 of Surah Al Imran, recalls the Battle of Badr, in which the Prophet Muhammad’s followers defeated a much larger force. It concludes: “God supports whom He wills with His help. Surely in this is a lesson for those with insight.”
Some linked the choice to Iran’s recent conflict with Israel and the United States, during which Saudi Arabia was reported to have allowed US military operations from its territory while also urging Washington to avoid a wider regional war.
The verse recited for Turkey’s delegation highlighted the superiority of believers who fight in God’s cause over those who stay behind without valid reason. Some commentators interpreted it as a reference to Ankara’s cautious approach during the recent conflict and broader regional crises.
Lebanon’s official delegation and a separate delegation from Hezbollah received different passages. The Lebanese state delegation heard a verse suggesting that following divine guidance and making sacrifices in God’s cause would have been better for them. Hezbollah, whose name means “Party of God,” was greeted with a verse promising victory for the “Party of God.”
The Hamas delegation received a verse praising believers “who have remained true to the covenant they made with God” and never broke their pledge.