The funeral, which is expected to be the largest in the country's history, will have strong security. The ceremony takes place at a time when Iran and the United States are holding indirect negotiations to end the war, after the leaders of the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding, followed by an exchange of attacks.
Khamenei's funeral begins today in Tehran and lasts for six days
The funeral, which is expected to be the largest in the country's history, will have strong security. The ceremony takes place at a time when Iran and the United States are holding indirect negotiations to end the war,...
Between this Saturday and Sunday, the former ayatollah's body will lie in state at Mosalla (which means "place of prayer"), one of the most important spaces in the Islamic Republic. On Monday, a procession will take place through the streets of the capital.
The funeral will pass through cities of great political and religious importance, such as the Shiite seminary city of Qom and the Iraqi cities of Karbala and Najaf. The burial is scheduled for Thursday, in Mashhad, the holiest city in Iran, where Imam Reza's shrine is located. The site houses his tomb and is considered the country's main pilgrimage destination.
Authorities expect millions of people to attend the ceremonies, held about six months after the heavy repression of popular protests against Khamenei's government.
On Friday, hundreds of Iranian and foreign officials had already paid tribute to Iran's former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who ruled the country for more than three decades.
Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran, on February 28. The funeral ended up being postponed due to the conflict.
He was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was injured in the same bombing and has not been seen in public since.
Read Also: Jerusalem wants to charge municipal tax to Christian churches
Source: Noticias ao Minuto - Mundo
This story was originally published by Noticias ao Minuto - Mundo. Visit the original publication for further details.
Open original publication
