An Indian delegation, including PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid, paid tribute to late Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in Tehran ahead of the official state funeral ceremonies.
The Embassy of Iran in India shared photographs of the delegation on social media, confirming their participation in the ceremonies, which have drawn foreign dignitaries, religious leaders and representatives from nearly 100 countries.
Mehbooba Mufti departed from New Delhi on Thursday evening to attend the funeral events scheduled from July 4 to July 9. She is reported to be the only non-Shia political leader from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh invited to participate in the ceremonies.
According to Iranian state media, the first phase of the funeral began at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla in Tehran, where the mortal remains of Ayatollah Khamenei and his companions were placed for public homage. Representatives of Iran’s recognised religious minorities also attended the opening ceremony.
Iranian authorities have launched extensive security arrangements for the funeral procession, which will pass through several cities in Iran and Iraq, including Tehran, Qom, Mashhad, Najaf and Karbala. Reports also indicate that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei will not attend his father’s funeral due to heightened security concerns.(Agencies)
