Dubai (United Arab Emirates), 7 July (LaPresse/AP) – The fourth day of funerals for Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the start of the war launched by the US and Israel on 28 February. Iranian state television broadcast live footage this morning, filmed from a helicopter, showing hundreds of thousands of people making their way to the Jamkaran Mosque, just south of Qom, to attend Khamenei’s funeral. Shi’a Muslims believe that the mosque once housed Muhammad al-Mahdi, the 12th and final Shi’a Imam, who disappeared in the 9th century and is destined to reappear one day to bring justice to the world. Images of Khamenei and his son, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, are depicted on banners and posters displayed by those attending the funeral. Mojtaba Khamenei has not yet made an appearance at the funeral ceremonies, which are taking place over several days. He is believed to be in hiding after being wounded in the air raid that killed his father. The period of mourning began on Saturday and will end on Thursday with Khamenei’s burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his hometown. Khamenei was 86 years old.
Iran: Hundreds of thousands attend Khamenei’s funeral in Qom
Dubai (United Arab Emirates), 7 July (LaPresse/AP) – The fourth day of funerals for Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the start of the war launched by the US and Israel on 28 February. Iranian state television broadcast live footage this morning, filmed from a helicopter, showing hundreds of thousands of people making their way to the Jamkaran Mosque, just south of Qom, to attend Khamenei’s funeral. Shi’a Muslims believe that the mosque once housed Muhammad al-Mahdi, the 12th and final Shi’a Imam, who disappeared in the 9th century and is destined to reappear one day to bring justice to the world. Images of Khamenei and his son, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, are depicted on banners and posters displayed by those attending the funeral. Mojtaba Khamenei has not yet made an appearance at the funeral ceremonies, which are taking place over several days. He is believed to be in hiding after being wounded in the air raid that killed his father. The period of mourning began on Saturday and will end on Thursday with Khamenei’s burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, his hometown. Khamenei was 86 years old.
