Financial Times Describes Funeral of Iran’s Martyred Leader as One of the Largest Gatherings in the Country
The British newspaper Financial Times reported that millions of people participated on Monday in the funeral ceremony of the martyred Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in Tehran; an event that, according to the media outlet, stands as one of the largest public gatherings in modern Iranian history.
According to the report, the funeral procession extended over more than 10 kilometers, starting from Damavand Street in eastern Tehran and passing through Imam Hossein Square, Enghelab Square, and Azadi Square. The Financial Times wrote that the route was completely filled with mourners, and the crowd density repeatedly slowed down the movement of the vehicle carrying the martyr’s body.
The newspaper described the atmosphere of the ceremony as passionate and added that many participants attended the farewell chanting and chest-beating while surrounding the vehicle carrying the body. It was also reported that mourners carried religious red flags, symbolizing a call for vengeance.
The Financial Times further noted that during part of the ceremony at Imam Hossein Square, an effigy of Donald Trump, the President of the United States, was symbolically hanged. Reflected images from the event showed a red banner with inscriptions in both Persian and English, and some participants were chanting slogans such as “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”
Tahmineh, a 60-year-old resident of Tehran who was near Azadi Square, told the newspaper that she came to bid farewell to the martyred leader and believes that his path must continue. She also emphasized that Iran has suffered many victims in recent years and must demonstrate its power in the region.
In concluding its report, the Financial Times wrote that the holding of this massive ceremony, according to many observers, has strengthened solidarity among segments of Iranian society.
