Iranian Authorities Use Religious Symbols at Khamenei Funeral Procession

Iranian authorities have organized a week of funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that incorporate religious imagery and political messaging. The events began with three days of mourning in Tehran before a procession moved between cities in Iran and Iraq.

Khamenei served as supreme leader from 1989 until his death in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28. His son Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role of head of state in March. Officials have described the death as martyrdom and stated that public grief is a national duty.

The official slogan "We must rise" appears on banners and images at the ceremonies. For Arabic-language and international audiences, authorities have used the Arabic equivalent of "Rise for God," both drawn from a Quranic verse. An illustration of Khamenei’s clenched fist on a red and black background has been used in government materials since his death.

The colors are described as representing grief, martyrdom, and a call for revenge. A giant red flag reading "O avengers of Hussein" was displayed over Tehran’s Grand Mosalla during the weekend events.

The route for Khamenei’s remains runs from Qom to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq, then to Mashhad for burial. Officials have linked the path to sites of Shia religious significance and to the founding figures of the Islamic Republic. Representatives from Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Houthis attended events in Tehran on Friday.

Each delegation received a Quranic verse read by a state-backed eulogist before meeting Iranian leaders. The verse given to a Saudi delegation referenced the Battle of Badr.