PAY ATTENTION: Leave your feedback about TUKO.co.ke. Fill in this short form. Help us serve you better!
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Tehran - Tens of thousands of Tehran residents have turned out to bid farewell to their late President, Ebrahim Raisi.
The deceased president's body, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and other officials killed in a helicopter crash on May 19 arrived at the country's Mehrabad International Airport on Tuesday, May 21.
They were draped in Iranian flags with pictures of the deceased on them, while Raisi's coffin had a black turban on it to mark his alleged direct descent from Islam's Prophet Muhammad.
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see TUKO News on your News Feed
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who declared a five-day mourning period, and new president Mohammad Mokhber lined up to welcome the deceased.
The soldiers marched with the bodies on their shoulders as top officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the most powerful branch of the Iranian armed forces, paid their respects.
An emotional moment was captured at the airport as Mokhber was seen tearing up beside Khamenei.
Other top government officials could also be seen letting out their emotions as some kissed the president's coffin.
Ayatollah Khamenei expressed his deepest condolences, describing the fallen leader as a hardworking and competent people's president.
"With deep sorrow and regret, I have received the bitter news of the martyrdom of the people’s President, the competent, hard-working Haj Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi, and his esteemed entourage," he said.
Additionally, he revealed that Raisi faced numerous challenges during his time due to ungratefulness and mocking from ill-intentioned individuals.
"For him, the well-being and satisfaction of the people, which was a sign of God’s satisfaction, took precedence over everything else, and the hurt he suffered due to the ingratitude and taunts of some ill-wishers didn’t deter him from his continuous efforts for progress and improvement," he added.
Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke
PAY ATTENTION: Help us change more lives, join TUKO.co.ke’s Patreon programme.
Ezekiel Mutua Slams Pastor Kanyari Over Online Misconduct, Vows To Stop Him: "Mockery To The Faith"
Homa Bay Single Father Battling Kidney Problem Appeals For Help: "Wife Left When I Became Sick"
Kenya Among Countries Hit By Slow Internet After Under Sea Cable Interruption
Iran's Ebrahim Raisi.
Ebrahim Raisi: New President, Top Officials in Tears As Fallen Leader’s
Ebrahim Raisi: New President, Top Officials in Tears As Fallen Leader’s