【The Grand Commencement of the 40-Day Memorial for the Martyrdom of Khamenei】 Today is absolutely a "big day" in Iran!

The Public Relations Department of Tehran Province has just announced: The epic mourning ceremony commemorating the 40-day anniversary of the martyrdom of the Leader will begin at 9:40 AM Iranian time today (14:10 Beijing time).

The choice of 9:40 is because this was the exact moment when Khamenei was assassinated.

After his martyrdom, the entire country of Iran observed a 40-day mourning period. In Twelver Shia Islam, the 40-day period is considered a sacred phase.

For Chinese readers seeking easier understanding, it can be likened to the “first seven days” (Touqi) tradition.

Khamenei died alongside more than forty senior military and political officials, which greatly amplifies the scale of this 40-day mourning period. (Image source: Islamic Republic News Agency)

After the passing of the Grand Ayatollah, no formal Shia funeral rites have yet been performed. Therefore, attention must be particularly focused on whether the new leader, Mujtahid Morteza, will appear during this 40-day period — this would be a major event.

The 40-day mourning period is known as "Arbaeen" in Arabic and "Chehelom" in Persian — both meaning "forty." It is one of the most important religious rituals established specifically to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, during the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.

In Shia Islam, an Imam is equivalent to the highest spiritual and religious guide.

Through this war in Iran, fellow netizens have unlocked many characteristics of the Persian people. This 40-day observance serves as a key to understanding Twelver Shia Islam.

In Iran and Arab countries, many boys are named Hussein — including Saddam Hussein. A name associated with legendary heroism.

Imam Hussein was the son of Ali, the fourth caliph, and a descendant of Prophet Muhammad. At that time, the Umayyad Caliph Yazid I demanded Hussein’s allegiance, but Hussein refused to recognize his legitimacy. He then led his family and followers toward Kufa, where they were besieged by thousands of troops. These locations are now within modern-day Iraq.

Therefore, Iraq is also a major stronghold of global Shia Islam. Cities like Karbala and Najaf are renowned holy sites, comparable in significance to Qom.

Surrounded, Imam Hussein and his companions were all killed on the 10th of Muharram in the Islamic calendar — the day known as Ashura. This is the origin of the Ashura Day, which is not a celebration but a solemn mourning occasion.

According to Islamic tradition, the 40th day marks the moment when the soul departs from the earthly realm, and the initial mourning period officially concludes.

After Hussein's martyrdom, his sister Zaynab and others were taken captive to Damascus. After being released, they returned along the route and arrived in Karbala exactly on the 40th day after Hussein’s death, where they conducted the first official memorial ceremony.

Initially, this was a private act of devotion among a small number of believers. Later, after the Safavid dynasty designated Twelver Shi'ism as Iran’s state religion, it gradually became institutionalized.

In the Twelve Imams, Hussein ranks third.

When Iranians seek strength, they often cry out: “Yaa Hossain” or “Yaa Ali,” a phrase rooted precisely in this legacy.

Today, in Iran, this day carries dual significance — both religious and political. Imam Hussein sacrificed his life in resistance against tyranny.

Mourning is not merely sorrow; it is also a witness to truth. Those who die are martyrs.

Forty days after Khamenei’s martyrdom, even if he is physically gone, as the global leader of Shia Islam, Iran will not underestimate its organizational power or transnational religious cohesion. The commemoration today is destined to be extremely grand.

The first-generation leader of the Islamic Republic, Khomeini, was revered as “Imam.”

Khamenei himself was never formally called “Imam” during his lifetime, but rather “Rahbar” (Leader). However, I’ve noticed online that some Iranians have already begun adding the title “Imam” before Khamenei’s full name.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861980453512267/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) alone.