Report by Radio Zamaneh; photos by ISNA & Mehr News Agency
Ayatollah Montazeri, the prominent reformist
Shiite cleric who passed away yesterday, was laid to rest this morning in Qom.
His body was carried from his home amidst the multitude of his supporters who
attended his funeral.
Ahmad Montazeri gave a speech and then called on
the people to leave the grounds after the end of the ceremony.
Reportedly hundreds of thousands of people attended the ceremony, many of which
had spent last night in the streets of Qom awaiting the ceremony.
Opposition leader, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi
Karroubi had gone to Qom last night to pay their respects to the deceased
cleric. The two disputing candidates of the elections had announced today a
national day of mourning.
Mehdi Karoubi pays respect
to Ayatollah Montazeri
Mir Hossein Mousavi (center)
Ayatollah Rafsanjani and Mohammad Khatami also
sent representatives to attend the ceremony and several prominent figures mostly
belonging to the reformist faction of Iran attended the ceremony.
Reportedly government forces repeatedly stopped buses that were carrying
mourners to the ceremony from different cities of the country. By some accounts
some people were even arrested .
Reformist websites also announced that some altercations between mourners and
government forces took place following the ceremony.
Reports indicate that many people attended the
ceremony with green symbols chanting anti- Ahmadinejad slogans.
Eyewitnesses have informed Zamaneh that pro-government elements were holding up
placards against Ayatollah Montazeri to provoke mourners.
security forces are seen at the funeral
While pro-government forces chanted:
"Anti-Revolutionaries; have shame! Leave Qom!" mourners responded: "Mercenaries
get lost! What became of the oil money? It was given to the Basij!"
Basij is the organization of volunteers that have been mostly responsible for
the crackdown on election protesters. While they are a volunteer force they
enjoy wide range of benefits from government organizations for their services.
Pro-government crowds have been reportedly
throwing objects at supporters of Ayatollah Montazeri around his residence and
tearing condolence banners.
Ayatollah Montazeri's family will also attend a funeral service tonight at the
Azam Mosque.
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