Kargil announces seven-day mourning over assassination of Imam Khamenei
Kargil, Feb 1: A profound wave of grief swept across Kargil following reports of the killing of Iran Supreme leader Ayatollah Imam Khamenei, with thousands of mourners pouring onto the streets and religious institutions holding special condolence gatherings.
As news of the development spread early in the morning, mourning assemblies were convened across mosques and Imambargahs in different parts of the district. Emotional scenes were witnessed as people gathered in large numbers, expressing sorrow over the loss of the leader.
Volunteers of the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT), under its wing “Basij Imam,” draped Hussaini Park in black banners and cloth to mark the beginning of mourning observances. Simultaneously, “Inqilab Manzil” was covered in black under arrangements made by Jamiat-ul-Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil. Participants also raised slogans condemning the alleged attacks by the United States and Israel.
Addressing a joint press conference, Hujjat-ul-Islam wal-Muslimeen Sheikh Muhammad Hussain Lutfi and Sheikh Muhammad Muhaqqiq formally confirmed the development and paid tribute to the late leader’s services. They described him as not merely a personality but an enduring ideological movement whose mission would continue.
Thousands of mourners later entered Kargil town carrying portraits of the deceased leader while reciting elegies and participating in traditional mourning rituals. Although Hussaini Park had been prepared to accommodate the gathering, the turnout exceeded expectations, leading to overcrowding on Hussaini Park Road and adjoining streets.
Several prominent religious and community leaders attended the central condolence meeting, including IKMT Chairman Hujjat-ul-Islam Sheikh Sadiq Rajai, Majlis Mandubeen Convenor Alhaj Asghar Ali Karbalai, Sheikh Hussain Lutfi, Sheikh Hamid Nasiri, Vice Chairman Sheikh Hasnain Rizwani, Sheikh Bashir Shakir, Maulana Abbas Karari, Maulana Zakir, Sunni scholar Maulvi Tasneem Arif, and Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of Kargil Dr. Jaffer Akhoond.
Speaking on the occasion, Karbalai announced seven days of continuous mourning, with mourning processions to continue for two days. He further stated that condolence gatherings would be organised for forty days at Jamia Masjid Kargil.
Concluding the event, Sheikh Muhammad Hussain Lutfi extended condolences and informed followers that, in matters of religious guidance, they may continue their emulation in accordance with the rulings of Grand Ayatollah Syed Ali Hussaini Sistani or Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi until further direction from relevant religious authorities.
Kargil remained enveloped in mourning throughout the day, with community leaders calling for unity and restraint amid the prevailing grief. [KNT]
