Iran's former Supreme Leader's funeral set amid questions over successor's attendance

Funeral ceremonies for Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are set to commence in Tehran on Saturday, July 4, more than four months after his death during the initial phase of the Iran war. The planned rites, presented by officials as a significant national and religious event, will span Tehran, Qom, Iraq, and conclude with his burial in Mashhad on July 9.

Organizers anticipate massive turnouts, with estimates suggesting tens of millions of participants from both within Iran and internationally. However, the extended delay between Khamenei's death and his burial has sparked debate among religious scholars. Vahid Heroabadi, a critic of the Islamic Republic residing in Europe, noted that the delay contradicts established Shiite Islamic tradition, which strongly emphasizes prompt burial.

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In Islamic jurisprudence, there is a strong emphasis on burying the dead without delay. So much so that this is one of the classic examples used in religious education when explaining an obligation that must be carried out immediately.

A key question remains whether Mojtaba Khamenei, who has reportedly succeeded his father as Iran's supreme leader, will attend any part of the ceremonies. Iranian officials have not confirmed his presence, with the head of the national funeral committee stating that Mojtaba Khamenei's attendance is beyond the committee's purview and would be announced by the supreme leader's office.

Mojtaba Khamenei has been notably absent from public view for months, and his non-appearance at events related to his family, including a symbolic ceremony for his wife, has drawn international attention. Reports about his health have circulated, but Iranian authorities have not provided official explanations, and claims about his medical condition remain unverified. Officials have stated that Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in the same incident that killed his father. His attendance could also influence who leads the funeral prayers, a role of symbolic importance in Shiite tradition.

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Mojtaba Khamenei's attendance was outside the authority of the organizing committee. He said any announcement would come from the office of the commander-in-chief and the office of the leader.