Leader’s funeral should symbolize national unity: Pezeshkian
President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday called on Iranians to attend the upcoming funeral ceremonies for the late Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in “large numbers and with grandeur,” saying their presence should send a message of unity and solidarity to the world as the nation is gearing up to bid farewell to him nearly four months after his martyrdom.
Ayatollah Khamenei was assassinated on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli war against Iran, when his residence in Tehran were bombed. Dozens senior officials, military commanders and several members of his family were also martyred in the airstrike.
A two-day farewell ceremony will begin on Saturday, July 4, at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla, the capital’s main venue for large state religious gatherings. The main funeral procession will take place on Monday along a 10-km route stretching from Imam Hossein Square to iconic Azadi Square.
Tehran’s mayor has described the event as “the largest gathering in the city’s history” and said about 20 million people are expected to take part.
Ceremonies will continue in the holy city of Qom on Tuesday before the Leader’s body is taken to the Iraqi shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday. Ayatollah Khamenei will be buried on Thursday at the shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH), the eighth Shia Imam, in the northeastern city of Mashhad, Iran’s holiest city and the Leader’s birthplace.
Iranian authorities estimate between 8 to 10 million mourners will attend the burial ceremony. Foreign officials and delegations are expected to begin arriving in Iran from Friday to partake in the events.
Speaking during a cabinet meeting, Pezeshkian described the funeral as “an important and historic event” and hoped it would become “a lasting scene in the contemporary history of the country.”
“There may be different opinions and preferences on some issues, but what must be demonstrated at this historic juncture is unity, solidarity, coordination and national cohesion,” he said.
“Today, more than ever, it is essential that all political factions and all sections of society emphasize our national and Islamic common ground and refrain from any action that would undermine national unity,” the president added.
Pezeshkian described the slain Leader as an influential figure across the Muslim world whose significance extended beyond Iran.
“He always defended Islamic ideals, the unity of the Muslim world, solidarity among Muslims and resistance against oppression and bullying, and defended his righteous positions against global hegemonic powers with clarity and courage,” he said.
The president also said Iran would continue to press ahead with its path toward dignity, independence and progress by relying on domestic unity and strengthening cooperation among Islamic countries.
“The Iranian nation will not allow any power to force Muslim nations into submission,” Pezeshkian said.