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The theocratic government is repurposing folklore and patriotic anthems as it seeks to channel national outrage into increasing its support at home.
By Erika Solomon and Sanam Mahoozi
The event had all the typical trappings of Ashura, Iran’s ritualistic Shiite Muslim mourning period. The kneeling crowds were dressed in black. They beat their chests in unison. Then, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, beckoned the man leading the chants, videos of the event showed, and whispered in his ear.
