Huge Crowds Gathering to Mark Anniversary of Khomeini’s Death

Huge crowds of mourners gathered at the tomb of former Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini on Sunday to observe the first anniversary of his death.

The tomb, at the Behesht Zahra Cemetery 10 miles south of Tehran, was the focal point of a throng stretching for hundreds of yards in every direction.

Khomeini died slightly more than 10 years after he led the Islamic revolution that toppled the late Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, which he founded, has officially declared June 4 as the anniversary of his death, and official memorial ceremonies are scheduled for today. Officials predicted that 3 million people would attend.

The official Islamic Republic News Agency said more than 3,000 city buses were used to bring mourners to Behesht Zahra from Tehran.

Mourners began arriving at the tomb last week, some from hundreds of miles away, and many camped at the site.

The state media reported that thousands marched to the capital from points hundreds of miles away, such as the holy city of Mashad in northeastern Iran, many with blistered feet and wearing headbands reading, “Greetings to Ruhollah.”