I Never Knew Khamenei

Inever knew him personally, yet I grieve. Millions who never met him also mourned his passing. As I watched the streets of Tehran filled with people paying their final respects, one question remained in my mind: what kind of leader inspires such profound public grief? Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei led Iran for more than three decades, guiding the country through sanctions, regional tensions and international pressure. While opinions on his policies differ and history will continue to debate his legacy, few would dispute that he remained steadfast in his convictions throughout his life. Judge suspends charges against an ex-Marine arrested on Trump’s golf course with ammunition His death came during a period of conflict, and members of his family were also affected by the tragedy. In response, millions gathered across Tehran and other cities to honour his memory. Mourning extended beyond Iran to countries including Iraq, Pakistan and Lebanon, where many of his supporters also paid tribute. For his admirers, he symbolised resilience, dignity and resistance to external pressure. Their presence at his funeral reflected not only respect for a political leader but also a deep emotional connection with someone they believed had defended their values and identity. Two airport workers in Germany die after contracting malaria History will assess his legacy from different perspectives, and opinions about him will always vary. Yet the scale of public mourning demonstrated the profound impact he had on millions of people who admired his leadership and remained devoted to his ideals. YUMNA ZAHID ALI, Karachi.

Read full story on The Nation