Last Farewell: How was Khamenei’s body kept safe for 126 days? Iran started a grand show of power

The historic program of the last farewell of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has started from Friday, July 3. Iran is presenting this state mourning, which started after a long wait of about four months, not just as a tribute, but as a huge ‘show of strength’ of its religious and political solidarity. The coffins of Khamenei and his family members have been kept in the Grand Mosala Mosque in Tehran, which is being seen by millions of people. It is estimated that 1.5 to 2 crore people will participate in this mega event which will continue till July 9. The dead body was kept safe like this for 126 days. The biggest question is that how was Khamenei’s body preserved for 126 days? According to reports, preserving the dead body with chemical substances (chemical preservation) is not allowed in Islam. In such a situation, Iranian experts resorted to the refrigerated cold storage of the forensic mortuary. According to Shia tradition, religious permission was sought to preserve the body at low temperatures when burial was delayed due to war or extraordinary circumstances, so that the funeral process could be conducted with full dignity. Complete program of the last journey: Khamenei’s last farewell journey from Tehran to Mashhad is very long and has religious significance. The last rites will be held at the Grand Mossala Mosque in Tehran on 4-5 July. On July 6-7, the yatra will reach Qom, where he received his education. On July 8, the body will be taken to Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, the most important pilgrimage sites for Shia Muslims. Ultimately, on July 9, the body will be brought back to Iran and laid to rest at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. Iran’s big strategic message: Analysts believe that through this funeral, Iran is trying to send a message to America and Israel that despite the current challenges, the country’s religious and political system is completely stable and united. Leaders from more than 30 countries and representatives from 90 countries are participating in the event, including an official delegation from India. In view of security, there is high alert in the entire country, so that situations like the accidents that happened earlier do not arise. Iran is seeing this event as its diplomatic psychological advantage.