LUCKNOW: Muslim organisations in the city on Sunday expressed grief and anger over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint strikes by the US and Israel, and announced protest and prayer programmes. All India Shia Personal Law Board general secretary Maulana Yasoob Abbas said a large protest along with a condolence meeting would be organised at the Chhota Imambara on Sunday evening, according to news agency PTI. He said effigies of US President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be burnt during the protest. According to Abbas, the Shia community has declared three days of mourning. During this period, people will wear black, hoist black flags at their homes and hold special prayer gatherings. All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) executive member and Lucknow’s Shahar Qazi Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli condemned Khamenei’s killing and urged the international community to oppose what he described as a violation of international law. He added that special prayers would be offered in Sunni mosques for the Iranian supreme leader and for peace. Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad termed Khamenei’s killing as “one of the most tragic events of the century”. Prominent Shia leader Maulana Saif Abbas Naqvi said the development was a moment of grief for Muslims across the globe and called for worldwide condemnation. When the rest of the world was silent against Israel’s oppression of the Muslims of Gaza, it was Khamenei who raised his voice, which is why the oppressive countries became his enemies, Naqvi said. Maulana Jawwad said all justice-loving and humanitarian people should rise above religious sentiments and organise condolence meetings. Naqvi said the entire world should unite and condemn the actions of the US and Israel that have plunged the entire Middle East into the fire of war. He said today is a day of great sorrow for Muslims all over the world. Khamenei spoke for the interests of not one community, but for the interests of Muslims all over the world. The entire world also saw how he stood with the oppressed people of Palestine, victims of Israeli oppression, Naqvi said.
