Huge Iran Throng Marks 40 Days of Khomeini Mourning
Millions chanting “Death to America!” and beating themselves in grief surrounded the gold-domed tomb of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on Thursday to end 40 days of mourning for the founder of the Islamic republic.
His successor as Iran’s religious leader, President Ali Khamenei, appeared in public for the first time since Khomeini’s June 6 funeral and delivered a tirade against the “terrorists” of the United States and its allies.
As the representative of Khomeini’s family, his son, Ahmed, 43, declared the mourning period over.
Iranian media monitored in Cyprus said “millions” of people rhythmically thumping their chests and heads in a ritualized frenzy of grief packed the Behesht Zahra Cemetery outside Tehran.
Khomeini died June 3 at the age of 86, 10 years after his Islamic revolution toppled Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.
The official Islamic Republic News Agency said 10,000 people collapsed with “heart problems” or were injured in the suffocating throng. Another 10,000 were overcome by the 110-degree temperature, IRNA said.
Firefighters sprayed water on the people to cool them as loudspeakers blared readings from the Koran, Islam’s holy book.
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