The last rites of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an attack by America and Israel, are being conducted four months after his assassination. On behalf of the Government of India, Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pavitra Margherita will attend Khamenei’s funeral. Whereas PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti will attend the funeral after receiving the invitation from Iran.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti is going to Iran to pay her last respects to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after receiving an official invitation to attend his funeral. PDP chief Mufti told news agency PTI, “It is a matter of great honor for me, getting this invitation (from Iran) is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I will go there to pay my last tribute to the Supreme Leader.”
Separate invitation sent for Mehbooba
Earlier, on behalf of Mohsin Kummi, Director of International Relations Department in the Office of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a formal invitation was sent to Mehbooba Mufti to attend this solemn funeral ceremony as a special guest of India. Mehbooba had openly protested after Khamenei’s assassination.
The invitation letter said that Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was assassinated on February 28, and in accordance with the period of national mourning and the protocol of the Islamic Republic, a state funeral ceremony will be held in Tehran from July 3 to 6.
‘Proof of deep friendship and mutual respect’
Kummi said in his invitation, “Given the deep historical and strategic ties that bind Iran and India, I consider it a great honor to invite you to attend this solemn ceremony as a special guest of India.
The letter written to Mehbooba said, “Your presence will be a proof of the deep friendship and mutual respect between our two great ancient civilizations.” According to the programme, Supreme Leader Khamenei will be given a final farewell tomorrow Friday (July 3) at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque Complex in Tehran, then a memorial service will be held the next day. Whereas the funeral procession will be taken out on 6th July.
PM Modi’s busy tour, no hope of going
At the same time, India’s side will be represented by Bihar Governor Lieutenant General (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain and Minister of State for External Affairs Pavitra Margherita at the state funeral of Khamenei. Sources say that following the invitation extended by Iranian President Masoud Pejeshkian to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both will attend the funeral ceremony starting from July 3 on behalf of the Indian government.
However, PM Modi is not expected to visit Iran because he has a busy schedule. He has to leave for a foreign trip. In this foreign trip, PM Modi has to visit Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.
After Khamenei’s death, military tension increased in the entire Gulf region, after several days of conflict, an agreement was reached with America and the ceasefire came into effect. However, the state funeral was delayed due to the war. Now it will begin with his body being kept for the last rites at the Grand Mosala Complex in Tehran. On July 9, processions will be held in Tehran and the holy city of Qom before the burial at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad (Khamenei’s hometown).
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