WANA (Mar 01) – The announcement of the assassination of Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, had repercussions far beyond Iran’s borders. In India—particularly in Shiite-majority areas—it led to the holding of widespread mourning ceremonies.

 

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Anjuman‑e‑Shariat‑e‑Shia, one of the most influential religious institutions within the Shiite community, declared 40 days of public mourning and called on its followers to honor him by holding religious ceremonies and hoisting black flags.

 

In the cities of Lucknow and Kargil, large protest rallies and mourning processions were held with widespread public participation. Carrying black flags and portraits of Iran’s leader, the participants expressed solidarity with the Iranian people and strongly condemned the act.

In a statement sent to the local media outlet Kashmir News Service, the association described Iran’s leader as a “defender of the oppressed” and stated that he had “attained martyrdom.” The statement was signed by Seyed Hassan al‑Mousavi al‑Safavi, the head of the association, who referred to Ayatollah Khamenei as a “spiritual guide” whose influence extended beyond Iran’s borders.

 

According to the issued guidelines, mosques, imambargahs, and religious centers were instructed to display black flags throughout the mourning period and to organize programs such as congregational prayers, Quran recitations, and religious gatherings.

 

Preachers were also asked to highlight, in their sermons, the Iranian leader’s role in promoting Muslim unity and defending the Palestinian cause. The statement emphasized that believers should refrain from celebrations during this time and observe visible signs of mourning in public life.

 

At the same time, the Jammu and Kashmir Shia Association issued a message on the social media platform X, offering condolences over the event and expressing sympathy with the people of Iran.

Media reports also spoke of large-scale mourning gatherings in New Delhi, the capital of India, where thousands took to the streets to express solidarity with the Iranian people and declare their support for the Islamic Republic. These gatherings reflected the religious and emotional ties between segments of India’s Shiite community and developments in Iran.

 

According to reports, in the early hours of 28 February, the United States and Israel carried out attacks on targets in several Iranian cities, and hours later state media reported the assassination of the leader of the Islamic Republic during those strikes.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a video message posted on the social media platform Truth Social that the U.S. military had launched “large-scale military strikes” against Iran. The U.S. Department of Defense named the operation Operation Epic Fury, stating that its objective was “to prevent threats against the United States and its vital national security interests.”

 

The latest attacks took place at a time when Iran had previously entered into intensive negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program.