Iran menggelarises a state funeral for its late president, Ebrahim Raisi, who perished in a helicopter crash earlier this week. The ceremony, a grand display of national mourning, culminates with his burial at the holiest site for Shiite Muslims in the country – the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad.
A Nation in Mourning, Yet Questions Linger
Raisi’s funeral marks the culmination of days-long processions across Iran, aimed at solidifying public support for the theocracy after the tragic crash. However, the outpouring of grief appears less fervent compared to the massive crowds that gathered for the slain Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani in 2020 .
Analysts point to several potential reasons for this disparity. Raisi’s presidency was marked by a harsh crackdown on dissent, particularly following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 . Amini’s arrest for allegedly violating the mandatory headscarf law sparked nationwide protests met with brutal force by the government.
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State Media’s Selective Narrative
State-controlled media outlets have carefully curated their coverage of Raisi’s passing. The economic woes plaguing Iran and Raisi’s controversial past, including his alleged involvement in the mass execution of dissidents during the Iran-Iraq war, have been conspicuously absent from the narrative.
Beyond the Ceremony: A Look at Iran’s Future
Raisi’s sudden demise ushers in a period of uncertainty for Iran’s political landscape. The selection of a new president and the direction the country will take will be closely watched by the international community.
