Iran made final preparations on Thursday to inter its late president at the holiest site for Shiite Muslims in the Islamic Republic, marking a profound farewell to a protege of Iran’s supreme leader who tragically perished in a helicopter crash earlier this week.
President Ebrahim Raisi’s burial at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad concludes days of nationwide processions, aimed at rallying support for Iran’s theocracy following the fatal accident claiming him, the country’s foreign minister, and six others.
However, unlike the massive gatherings mourning the 2020 death of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, killed by a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad, the current services have drawn comparatively smaller crowds. This disparity suggests varying sentiments towards Raisi’s presidency, characterized by a harsh crackdown on dissent during protests over the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, among other controversies.
Notably absent from state media coverage are discussions of Raisi’s involvement in the mass execution of an estimated 5,000 dissidents at the end of the Iran-Iraq war, as well as the country’s economic challenges.
Prosecutors have cautioned against any public displays of celebration regarding Raisi’s demise, resulting in a heavy security presence across Tehran.
In Raisi’s hometown of Birjand, thousands clad in black lined the streets to bid farewell as his casket passed through, reflecting the widespread grief. The procession culminated in Mashhad, where Raisi will be laid to rest at the Imam Reza Shrine, a site of deep significance in Shiite Islam.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei appointed Raisi to oversee the Imam Reza charity foundation in 2016, solidifying his ties to the revered site. The foundation manages extensive assets and businesses, making it one of Iran’s wealthiest entities.
Raisi’s burial at the shrine is a historic honor, marking the first time a top Iranian politician receives such recognition.
The tragic loss of Raisi and other officials comes at a critical juncture for Iran, domestically and internationally, with implications for its leadership succession and regional alliances. Acting President Mohammad Mokhber has assumed temporary leadership, with the upcoming presidential election adding further uncertainty to Iran’s political landscape.
As the nation mourns, dignitaries pay their respects to those lost in the crash, underscoring the profound impact of their legacy on Iran’s history and future.
