On May 23, 2024, the city of Mashhad bore witness to a historic and solemn occasion as thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects to former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. The revered Imam Reza Shrine, a sacred site in Shi’ite Islam, was the setting for Raisi’s burial ceremony, a rare honor bestowed upon a top politician in the country.
The atmosphere was heavy with grief as mourners, including high-ranking officials, clerics, and ordinary citizens, converged on the shrine to bid farewell to the late president. The ceremony was marked by traditional Islamic lamentations, with mourners beating their chests and heads in a display of sorrow and respect.
Raisi’s coffin, draped in the Iranian flag, was carried by a procession of dignitaries, including current President Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who delivered a eulogy praising Raisi’s dedication to the Islamic Republic and its people. The former president was laid to rest beside the mausoleum of Imam Ali al-Reza, a ninth-century Islamic leader revered by Shi’ites worldwide.
The burial ceremony was a testament to Raisi’s enduring legacy and his contributions to Iran’s political and social landscape. As the first top politician to be buried at the Imam Reza Shrine, Raisi’s final resting place serves as a poignant reminder of his commitment to the principles of the Islamic Revolution and his unwavering support for the Iranian people.