Following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports have emerged of mourning protests by Shia communities worldwide, including in India.
SNPNEWS.IN News (Gurmail Kamboj): After confirmation of the deaths of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his family members, high-ranking officials, and leaders in missile attacks carried out by the United States and Israel on February 28 on Iran’s capital Tehran and other locations, a wave of anger against the United States and Israel has spread among Muslim Shia communities worldwide.
After Iran officially confirmed Khamenei’s death this morning, thousands of people gathered at Enghelab Square in the capital Tehran. Here, people are mourning their leader’s death and expressing anger. Threats of revenge are being issued. The Iranian Prime Minister has called it a “war against Muslims.”
According to Al Jazeera, apart from Tehran, people are also on the streets in cities like Shiraz, Isfahan, Yasuj, and Lorestan. In some areas (such as Isfahan and Karaj), reports of anti-government celebrations have also surfaced.
The most severe situation is in Pakistan (which has a large Shia population), particularly in Karachi, where thousands of protesters attempted to break the outer wall of the U.S. Consulate and enter inside. Protesters chanted “Death to America” and “Death to Israel,” waved pictures of Khamenei, and set some parts on fire. Police and paramilitary forces responded with tear gas, warning shots, and firing. During this, large-scale violence and destruction were witnessed; security forces’ actions resulted in 8-9 deaths and more than 20 injuries.
In Lahore, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the American Consulate, but no major violence occurred. Marches also took place in Skardu and Gilgit-Baltistan, where protesters described the Israeli attack as a “crime against humanity.” The Pakistani government has deployed large numbers of police and Rangers to prevent further violence. Clashes occurred between protesters and security forces near the Red Zone area in the capital Islamabad. According to Dawn News, protesters were attempting to advance toward the American Embassy.
Quetta, Pakistan: Due to proximity to the Afghan border, protests here are taking a highly violent form. According to The News International, security forces have imposed a curfew-like situation in several areas.
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In India’s Jammu and Kashmir, thousands of people took to the streets in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk and several other areas. Protesters were holding pictures of Khamenei, and markets remained completely closed. Security agencies are monitoring these areas.
● In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh’s Muslim areas, anti-America protests were observed.
● In Hyderabad, Telangana, a massive rally was held in the Old Quarters, where anti-America slogans were raised.
● In Karnataka’s Bengaluru nearby village Alipur, a three-day mourning period has been announced, and protest marches have been taken out.
●Large-scale mourning marches were held by the Shia community in Kargil and Leh. According to NDTV, protesters waved black flags in opposition to the America-Israel attacks.
● In this region of Ladakh, the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT) organized a very large protest march. According to Greater Kashmir, a blackout-like situation prevailed across the city, and commercial establishments remained closed.
● In West Bengal’s capital, the Shia Muslim community held a massive protest march, according to Kolkata Gazette, causing traffic jams in central Kolkata.
● Alipur, Karnataka: In this village located about 70 km from Bengaluru, where 90% of the population is Shia Muslim, a massive mourning march was held.
● In Mumbai’s Mohammad Ali Road and Dongri areas, people peacefully expressed anger by tying black bands.
● Security has been heavily tightened around the Iranian Embassy in Delhi’s Chanakyapuri area. Several Muslim organizations attempted peaceful protests here. According to The Times of India, flags at Iranian cultural centers have been half-masted.
International Protests:
● Iraq (Baghdad): Protesters gathered at the entrance to Baghdad’s ‘Green Zone’ and attempted to advance toward the American Embassy, where police used tear gas.
● Lebanon (Beirut): Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared Khamenei a “martyr” and a massive public gathering is being organized in Beirut. BBC News.
● Los Angeles, USA: Members of the Iranian diaspora held a rally celebrating Khamenei’s death and demanding democracy in Iran. YouTube – World Reacts.
● New York: Thousands of protesters gathered in Manhattan’s Times Square and marched toward Columbus Circle. Protesters chanted slogans to end the war against Iran. They held banners such as “Hands Off Iran” and “Stop the War on Iran.”
● New York’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned these attacks, calling it a “catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression.”
● Houthi rebels held a gathering of lakhs of people in Sanaa (Yemen). According to Al Masirah, they are warning of a “major war” to avenge Khamenei’s death.
● In London, people gathered on both sides outside the Iranian Embassy (one side mourning, the other seeing it as an opportunity for Iran’s freedom). According to The Guardian, police have increased security there.
● Protests occurred in Shia-majority villages in Bahrain’s Manama region. According to Al Jazeera reports, minor clashes took place between protesters and security forces.
● Thousands gathered outside the Sayyida Zainab shrine in Damascus, Syria. According to SANA News, heavy mourning is being observed there over Khamenei’s death.
● In Toronto, Canada’s ‘Richmond Hill’ area, people of Iranian origin held a celebration, which increased tension as mourners were also present on the other side. CBC News described the situation as a “divided reaction.”
● Strict security arrangements have been made in Kuwait to control any potential protests.
● Melbourne and Sydney, Australia: Clashes occurred between two factions of the Iranian community here. One side is celebrating, while mourning is taking place outside religious centers on the other. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, police have cordoned off several locations.
● In Najaf (Iraq), large numbers of devotees gathered in this holy city. According to Reuters, the Iraqi government has announced three days of official mourning, leading to protest marches in several cities.
● Paris, France: Here, Iranian dissidents held a large gathering, describing Khamenei’s death as the beginning of a new era. According to France 24, the atmosphere here is highly emotional.
● In Moscow, Russia, people laid flowers and held mourning sessions outside the Iranian Embassy. According to TASS News Agency, the Russian government described this incident as a “major political loss.”
● In Berlin, Germany, Iranian-origin protesters held gatherings at different locations in support and opposition to the Israeli attack, forcing police intervention. According to Deutsche Welle, several metro stations were closed for security reasons.
● Afghanistan (Herat & Kabul): Despite Taliban rule, people mourned in Shia-majority areas like Herat. According to TOLO-news, prayers were held secretly in some places.
Dhaka, Bangladesh: Some Islamic groups held anti-America protest demonstrations near Dhaka University. According to The Daily Star, protesters described it as an “attack on the Muslim world.”
After the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, the Middle East appears to be at a crossroads. If the situation is not controlled soon, fears have arisen that crude oil prices could skyrocket beyond Gulf countries, leading to inflation and famine-like conditions worldwide.