The final farewell ceremony of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will begin from Saturday (July 4), for which delegations of leaders from all over the world have started reaching Tehran. Khamenei’s coffin is placed on a stage in the Grand Mosala in Tehran. The most special thing is that the red flag of Imam Reza Dargah present in his native city Mashhad has been placed on the coffin of the former Supreme Leader.

Experts say that this red flag on Khamenei’s coffin means that Iran is comparing the death of its Supreme Leader with the martyrdom of Karbala. Nader Hashmi, a professor of Middle East and Islamic politics at Georgetown University in America, told Al Jazeera that the red flag symbolizes the sacrifice of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed.

Hussein was killed during the Battle of Karbala, which took place in the 7th century, and is highly revered in Shia Islam. He is called the second Imam. He further said that Hussain’s martyrdom in the battle of Karbala is considered an important example of morality for Shia Muslims. Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran is trying to compare the death of its supreme leader with those killed in the attacks by America and Israel.

What do the black and red flags mean?

The place where Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s coffin is kept in Tehran has been decorated with black and red banners and photos of Khamenei. Let us tell you that in Shia Islam, the black flag is associated with mourning and the red flag with the feeling of revenge.

The programs related to the funeral of Ali Khamenei will run from July 4 to July 9. Apart from this, his funeral procession will also be taken to many cities of Iraq. The objective of the Islamic Republic in doing this is believed to be an attempt to make Ali Khamenei a universally accepted leader in Shia Islam. After all this, Khamenei will be buried in his native city Mashhad.

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