Week-long funeral of Iran's former supreme leader Ali Khamenei begins second day in Tehran

Lead

Iran's week-long funeral ceremonies for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei entered their second day on Sunday, as crowds gathered to pay respects at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran. The funeral, delayed due to the ongoing war, began on Saturday with chants of "death to America, death to Israel," according to multiple reports.

Khamenei, who served as supreme leader from 1989 until his death in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, is being honored with ceremonies expected to last at least a week, with events across the country.

Coverage Comparison

Al Jazeera focused on the symbolism and messaging embedded in the funeral ceremonies, describing how the government has adopted heavy symbolism to promote pro-government religious and political messages. The Jerusalem Post's coverage centered on the logistical scale of the event and the absence of Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, citing assassination fears.

Both outlets reported the funeral's start on Saturday and the plans to take Khamenei's body to Qom, Najaf, and Karbala, the great Shi'ite centers of Iran and Iraq, before burial in Mashhad.

Key Claims

Crowds of Iranians thronged the Mosalla, including overnight, to pay respects, with the Iranian metro railway network reporting 7 million trips from late Saturday to Sunday morning. Authorities plan to mobilize millions of people for big processions over the coming days, offering transport, food, and lodging.

In video posts, mourners were heard chanting "Our slogan is one word: Revenge, revenge," and "We will kill, we will kill he who killed our Imam." The funeral ceremonies have adopted heavy symbolism, including the use of black and red colors that combine concepts of grief, martyrdom, and a call for revenge.

The route selected for Khamenei's remains stretches from the holy Shia city of Qom, south of Tehran, to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq – both important sites in Shia Islam – before burial in Mashhad. The connection with Imam Ali and the Shia authority in Najaf provides a link with the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic and clerical authority.

Perspectives

Iranian authorities: The government has promoted the "martyrdom" of Khamenei in official messaging, with the slogan "We must rise" (or "Rise for God" for Arabic audiences) displayed on banners and images. Officials emphasize that grief for his death is a national duty, and the ceremonies are a show of public devotion to the Islamic Republic.

Jerusalem Post reporting: The Jerusalem Post reported that Mojtaba Khamenei's absence from the funeral stems from the regime's fear that Israel would attempt to assassinate him during the event. A general warned of a "harsh response" if Israel or the US attack during the funeral.

Al Jazeera analysis: Al Jazeera noted that the funeral ceremonies carry "heavy symbolism" intended to convey pro-government messages and create a narrative of unity among supporters of the Iranian government.