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THE funeral ceremonies for Iran’s assassinated supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family members, which began in Tehran on Friday, are evidence that the joint US-Israeli endeavour to break the Islamic Republic has failed. If anything, their aggression has rallied Iranians, who appear prepared to defend their country from hostile external forces.
The ayatollah’s funeral has attracted dignitaries from around the world; clearly, the attempt to isolate Iran has also failed. Millions of ordinary Iranians are expected to pay their respects to the late leader as the ceremonies continue over the next few days. Observers are of the view that the ceremonies could attract more mourners than those that participated in the last rites of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of revolutionary Iran.
Pakistan had sent a high-powered delegation, led by the prime minister and the chief of defence forces, indicating the importance Islamabad gives to ties with Tehran. Dignitaries from Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and nations around the world also paid their last respects.
After Tehran, funeral ceremonies will be held in Qom, Iran’s spiritual heart, as well as the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. This indicates the transnational importance of the late Khamenei. Apart from being Iran’s supreme leader, he was also a marja-i-taqleed — a religious guide for millions across the world. He will be laid to rest in Mashhad, his birthplace, at the tomb of Imam Raza.
