Mehbooba Mufti
By Tehelka Web Desk
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti will travel to Iran to attend the funeral of the country’s slain supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after receiving an official invitation from Iranian authorities.
The invitation was extended by Mohseen Qummi, Director of the International Relations Department at the Office of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, inviting Mufti to attend the state funeral as a distinguished guest from India.
Confirming her visit, Mehbooba said, “It is an immense honour for me and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive this invitation (from Iran). I will travel there to pay my last respects to the supreme leader.”
The invitation letter states that Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 and that, in accordance with Iran’s national mourning protocol, a state funeral will be held in Tehran from July 3 to July 6.
The letter also underlined the longstanding relationship between India and Iran.
“In light of the profound historical and strategic ties that bind the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of India, I consider it a great honour to invite your excellency, as a distinguished guest of the Indian nation, to attend this solemn ceremony.
“Your presence would serve as a testament to the deep-rooted friendship and mutual respect between our two great ancient civilizations,” the letter addressed to Mufti said.
According to the official programme, a farewell ceremony for Khamenei will be held at the Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla Complex in Tehran on July 3, followed by a commemoration on July 4 and the funeral procession on July 6.
