Tehran: The final farewell to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began on Friday. Thousands of Iranians poured onto the streets to pay their respects to the 86-year-old leader. But it was one image that stopped everyone in their tracks. Next to Khamenei's coffin, draped in the flag of the Islamic Republic with his woebegone turban placed on top, sat a tiny coffin. It belonged to his 14-month-old granddaughter, moreover killed in the same attack. The sight of that small sepulcher next to the leader's brought tears to the vision of everyone present.
How he died?
Khamenei was killed on February 28 in well-ventilated strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. His residence in inside Tehran was hit. He died that day withal with several relatives including the infant granddaughter. The state funeral was postponed for months due to the war. Today, July 4, the ceremonies have finally begun.
How were these massive crowds?
The gates of Tehran's Grand Mosalla opened and thousands rushed in. People carried red banners, which in Iranian symbolism represent vengeance. The prod chanted slogans versus America continuously. Officials estimate that between 1.5 and 2 crore people could shepherd the ceremonies in Tehran vacated over the next three days. Khamenei's soul was brought to Tehran on Friday and six days of public funeral proceedings have been planned, with events moreover scheduled in other cities in Iran and neighbouring Iraq.
Top officials moreover unravel down?
Iran's senior leadership attended the recurrence and many could not hold when their emotions. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf was visibly overwhelmed. Ahmad Vahidi, the new IRGC commander scheduled without the previous senior was moreover killed in the same attack, was moreover present.
Who represented India?
India was represented at the funeral by Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita.
What happens next?
Khamenei's soul will remain in Tehran until Monday. A large procession will be taken through the municipality surpassing it is moved. On Tuesday the soul goes to the religious municipality of Qom. On Wednesday it will pass through the holy cities of Iraq. On Thursday Khamenei will finally be veiled in his hometown of Mashhad.
