Why are red flags flying at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s funeral in Iran?
Red and white 'Ya Hussein' flags at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral represent martyrdom, resistance and the enduring symbolism of Imam Hussein in Shia Islam.
The truck carrying the coffins of the slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family makes its way through mourners during the funeral procession toward Azadi Tower in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo) Iran’s dayslong funeral for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began on Saturday as the administration shut down streets, airspace and daily life in Tehran with hundreds of thousands of mourners waiving a red and white flag at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque, where the body of Ali Khamenei is to lie for three days.
Red and white flags invoke historic martyrdom and revenge
Thousands of red and white flags at Khamenei’s funeral procession symbolise “martyrdom” and “revenge” in the Shia Muslim tradition, CNN reported.
Mourners attend the start of the dayslong funeral ceremonies for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo)
The flags have the Farsi words “Ya Hussein” written on them, referring to the 7th century martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed and a respected figure in the Shia community. Hussein died in the Battle of Karbala, which eventually divided the Shia and Sunni Muslims.
A man holds a sign reading “#kill_trump” as mourners gather for funeral ceremonies for slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran. (Photo: AP)
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