WANA (Jun 04) – The official commemoration marking the 37th anniversary of the passing of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, began Thursday morning at his holy shrine, drawing large crowds of citizens alongside senior civil and military officials.

 

The special event, held under the banner of “Covenant with the Leaders of the Revolution and Allegiance to the Leadership,” commenced at 9:00 AM local time. Coinciding with the Eid al-Ghadir religious holiday, the ceremony’s program includes Quranic recitations and traditional elegies.

 

According to the central organizing committee, a key highlight of the event is the release of a message from the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

 

In addition to the central gathering in the capital, main squares and centers across the country have hosted public gatherings around the June 4 date to mark the occasion.

 

Shift in Protocol Amid Regional Tensions

Reflecting current domestic and regional dynamics, this year’s ceremony is being held without the attendance of foreign ambassadors. Despite the protocol shift, doors to the holy shrine opened at 6:30 AM to accommodate the high volume of attendees traveling from various provinces across Iran.

 

Observers note that this year’s commemoration takes place following a highly volatile year for the country, marked by significant regional escalations and intense military confrontations.