By Admin 
Ali Khamenei Funeral: Programs related to the funeral of Iran’s former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei started in Tehran from Saturday. The government claims that crores of people are likely to participate in these programs which will last for six days. Khamenei was killed on February 28 during joint air strikes by the US and Israel. The funeral was postponed due to the war. Now his mortal remains will be taken to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq after Tehran and will be laid to rest on July 9 at Imam Reza Dargah in his birthplace Mashhad.
Tribute given by India
On behalf of the Government of India, Minister of State for External Affairs Pavitra Margherita and Bihar Governor Syed Ata Hasnain reached Tehran and participated in the program related to the funeral. Both of them paid tribute to Khamenei on behalf of the Government of India and the people of the country. During this, condolences were also expressed towards the families of those who lost their lives in the recent conflict in West Asia. The Ministry of External Affairs had already clarified that the high-level representation of India in this program reflects the historical, cultural and people-to-people ties of the two countries, which are the strong foundation of bilateral relations.
Estimate of gathering of millions of people in Iran
According to the Iranian administration, 15 to 20 million people are likely to attend the tribute program in Tehran alone during the next three days. A large number of people had started arriving outside the Grand Mosalla complex since Friday night. Funeral services will be held in Tehran and Qom, while the final burial will take place in Mashhad on July 9.
Many Indian representatives also arrived
Congress leader Salman Khurshid also participated in the program on behalf of Congress. People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti also paid tribute to Khamenei and described him as a leader who led in difficult circumstances. Apart from this, the delegation of Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Christian religious leaders from India also paid tribute.
Organized amid fragile ceasefire after war
The funeral is taking place at a time when a ceasefire is in force after the recent war between Iran, America and Israel. Meanwhile, international attention is also being kept on Khamenei’s successor Mojtaba Khamenei, although he has not made any major public appearance so far.