Members of the Shia community in Hyderabad protested on Sunday against the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint attacks by the United States and Israel. The Shia-majority areas of the old city witnessed a somber atmosphere upon confirmation of Khamenei’s death in the Saturday attack on Iran.
Clad in black attire, men, women, and children took to the streets in Purani Haveli, Noor Khan Bazar, Darulshifa, and other localities to denounce the killing of Khamenei, revered as the leader of the Shia community worldwide. They carried images of Khamenei and chanted slogans condemning the act.
A Shia leader addressing the crowd emphasized that Khamenei was martyred for resisting oppression and not yielding to oppressors. He lamented the lack of unity among Muslims that contributed to the tragic incident. In response to a call by Tanzeem-e-Jafferi, a Shia religious and socio-political organization, a rally was organized to condemn the assassination.
The rally, which commenced from Mazhar-e-Ibne-Khatoon in Purani Haveli, saw a significant turnout of people. Many participants were visibly emotional, shedding tears while holding up pictures of the deceased leader. Security was heightened in the old city by the police as a precautionary measure to avert any potential disturbances.
Meanwhile, at Iran’s Consulate in Hyderabad, the Iranian national flag was lowered to half-mast as a gesture of mourning for Khamenei’s demise. The 86-year-old leader was reportedly killed in Tehran during the joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Saturday. Reports indicated that Khamenei’s family members, including his daughter, grandchild, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law, were also among those who lost their lives in the attacks.
