Ceremonies are underway in five cities across Iran and Iraq, as reported by Iranian state media. Millions of mourners have gathered to honor the late supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, whose death in late February has sparked widespread grief.
The massive turnout also serves as a testament to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s strength. Ayatollah Khamenei led the nation for decades, solidifying its regional power and suppressing opposition. The coffins draped with the Iranian flag symbolize his legacy and the nation’s mourning.
A photograph from Tehran on Monday shows the ceremony where officials shortened the procession route due to the large crowd. Originally planned for over 17 miles, the journey was limited to a slow procession from the center of a specific road to Azadi Square.
The city of Qom, known for Shiite Muslim scholarship, hosted ceremonies on Tuesday. Mashhad will conclude the funeral program on Thursday, with Ayatollah Khamenei’s burial at the shrine of Imam Reza, one of 12 leaders considered spiritual successors to the Prophet Muhammad by some Shiites.
The choice of venues for these ceremonies highlights the supreme leader’s influence and his esteemed position within the clerical community.
Image Credit…Arash Khamooshi/Polaris for The New York Times
Contributors: Peter Robins, Abdi Latif Dahir, Yeganeh Torbati, Leo Sands
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