New Delhi: In the realm of diplomacy and politics, one never knows who might become a friend or an enemy. In these changing times, even adversaries often transform into close allies; while they may not be united at heart, in photographs, they appear to have cast aside all past grievances. Amidst this, surprising news has emerged from Iran.
People from across the globe are flocking to pay tribute to Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. There is talk of his mortal remains being taken to a country that was once considered his sworn enemy, allowing people there to pay their final respects. That country is none other than Iraq.
Everyone is aware of the long war fought between Iran and Iraq, which claimed the lives of countless military personnel and civilians. The land still bears the scars of that eight-year-long, bloody conflict. Yet, the world is astonished to hear that the mortal remains of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, are to be taken there.
Crowds Gather to Pay Tribute to Khamenei
Just yesterday, on Monday, crowds surged to catch a final glimpse of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His body was placed near the Jamkaran Mosque. According to media reports, tributes will continue to be paid today, Tuesday.
Yesterday, large numbers of mourners dressed in black gathered in the Iranian capital, Tehran, for Khamenei’s funeral procession. The assembled crowd was seen calling for the death of US President Donald Trump. Ayatollah Khamenei had died amidst the escalating conflict between the US and Iran. Following this, numerous nations, including Iran and other Muslim countries, expressed their condemnation of the US action.
Khamenei’s Mortal Remains to Go to Iraq
It may come as a surprise that Ayatollah Khamenei’s mortal remains could be taken to Iraq on July 8. Iraq and Iran have historically been sworn enemies, a fact well known to the world. Prominent religious leaders in the holy Shia cities of Najaf and Karbala, Iraq, will also pay tribute to Khamenei’s mortal remains.
The two nations were engaged in a bloody conflict from 1980 to 1988, which claimed a vast number of lives. Then-President Saddam Hussein launched a major offensive against Iran in 1980. Iran had witnessed a major revolution in 1979, and Saddam feared that this revolutionary fervour might spread to Iraq’s Shia-majority regions.
Iran echoes with chants of “Death to Trump.
It is worth noting that a massive crowd gathered at the Jamkaran Mosque in the Iranian city of Qom. Intense anger towards US President Donald Trump was evident among the people; they first pelted stones at his posters and then set them ablaze. Khamenei’s remains will be kept at this mosque before being taken to Iraq; the final burial is scheduled for July 9 in the city of Mashhad.
