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'We can still not believe it' - University of Tehran holds memorial service for Iranian president after helicopter crash03:10
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Tehran residents held a memorial service at the University of Tehran on Monday to pray for their President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

"We can still not believe it," said Abdulreza Seif, a Tehran Resident. "This bitter incident has happened and a dear servant of the nation who devoted his time to serving people day and night has left us".

Footage shows men including Alireza Zakani, Mayor of Tehran mourning and reading the Quran at a hall in the university. Signs are seen reading 'My Martyred brother, your path will continue and the only way to happiness is faith, jihad and martyrdom', 'My Martyred brother, your path will continue', 'Peace be upon Ibrahim, it's time for you to rest', 'Goodbye Sayyed of the deprived, we offer our condolences to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution and the noble people of Iran on the death of Ayatollah Seyed Ebrahim Raisi and his companions' and 'Martyrs of Service'.

"Our society has reached a level of maturity and stability that will surely overcome these difficult times," said Tayyebnia, a Tehran Resident. "Even though the society is stable, I call on the Iranian nation to be alert. And for this great martyr (Raisi) I ask God for extended mercy and forgiveness for him".

"Our constitution has foreseen everything and the circumstances have been observed and It seems there is no need to worry," said another resident Reza Vajhi.

Raisi's helicopter, along with two others, was en route to Tabriz City when it crashed in the Varzaqan region of East Azerbaijan Province. The crash, which took place in heavy fog, claimed the lives of the 63-year-old president, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and others on board. The exact cause of the crash has not been officially reported.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared five days of national mourning in response to the tragedy. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will act as interim president, with elections scheduled to take place in 50 days. Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has been appointed as the acting foreign minister.

Global leaders, including those from Russia, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and other nations, have extended their condolences. Raisi, a conservative cleric closely associated with Supreme Leader Khamenei, was elected in 2021. His death marks a significant and sombre moment for Iran as it contends with the loss of its leader.

'We can still not believe it' - University of Tehran holds memorial service for Iranian president after helicopter crash

Iran, Islamic Republic of, Tehran
May 20, 2024 at 16:16 GMT +00:00 · Published

Tehran residents held a memorial service at the University of Tehran on Monday to pray for their President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

"We can still not believe it," said Abdulreza Seif, a Tehran Resident. "This bitter incident has happened and a dear servant of the nation who devoted his time to serving people day and night has left us".

Footage shows men including Alireza Zakani, Mayor of Tehran mourning and reading the Quran at a hall in the university. Signs are seen reading 'My Martyred brother, your path will continue and the only way to happiness is faith, jihad and martyrdom', 'My Martyred brother, your path will continue', 'Peace be upon Ibrahim, it's time for you to rest', 'Goodbye Sayyed of the deprived, we offer our condolences to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution and the noble people of Iran on the death of Ayatollah Seyed Ebrahim Raisi and his companions' and 'Martyrs of Service'.

"Our society has reached a level of maturity and stability that will surely overcome these difficult times," said Tayyebnia, a Tehran Resident. "Even though the society is stable, I call on the Iranian nation to be alert. And for this great martyr (Raisi) I ask God for extended mercy and forgiveness for him".

"Our constitution has foreseen everything and the circumstances have been observed and It seems there is no need to worry," said another resident Reza Vajhi.

Raisi's helicopter, along with two others, was en route to Tabriz City when it crashed in the Varzaqan region of East Azerbaijan Province. The crash, which took place in heavy fog, claimed the lives of the 63-year-old president, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and others on board. The exact cause of the crash has not been officially reported.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared five days of national mourning in response to the tragedy. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will act as interim president, with elections scheduled to take place in 50 days. Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has been appointed as the acting foreign minister.

Global leaders, including those from Russia, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and other nations, have extended their condolences. Raisi, a conservative cleric closely associated with Supreme Leader Khamenei, was elected in 2021. His death marks a significant and sombre moment for Iran as it contends with the loss of its leader.

Restrictions

*RESTRICTIONS: NO Access Israel Media/Persian Language TV Stations Outside Iran/Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Iran International TV*

Description

Tehran residents held a memorial service at the University of Tehran on Monday to pray for their President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

"We can still not believe it," said Abdulreza Seif, a Tehran Resident. "This bitter incident has happened and a dear servant of the nation who devoted his time to serving people day and night has left us".

Footage shows men including Alireza Zakani, Mayor of Tehran mourning and reading the Quran at a hall in the university. Signs are seen reading 'My Martyred brother, your path will continue and the only way to happiness is faith, jihad and martyrdom', 'My Martyred brother, your path will continue', 'Peace be upon Ibrahim, it's time for you to rest', 'Goodbye Sayyed of the deprived, we offer our condolences to the Supreme Leader of the Revolution and the noble people of Iran on the death of Ayatollah Seyed Ebrahim Raisi and his companions' and 'Martyrs of Service'.

"Our society has reached a level of maturity and stability that will surely overcome these difficult times," said Tayyebnia, a Tehran Resident. "Even though the society is stable, I call on the Iranian nation to be alert. And for this great martyr (Raisi) I ask God for extended mercy and forgiveness for him".

"Our constitution has foreseen everything and the circumstances have been observed and It seems there is no need to worry," said another resident Reza Vajhi.

Raisi's helicopter, along with two others, was en route to Tabriz City when it crashed in the Varzaqan region of East Azerbaijan Province. The crash, which took place in heavy fog, claimed the lives of the 63-year-old president, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and others on board. The exact cause of the crash has not been officially reported.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared five days of national mourning in response to the tragedy. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will act as interim president, with elections scheduled to take place in 50 days. Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has been appointed as the acting foreign minister.

Global leaders, including those from Russia, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and other nations, have extended their condolences. Raisi, a conservative cleric closely associated with Supreme Leader Khamenei, was elected in 2021. His death marks a significant and sombre moment for Iran as it contends with the loss of its leader.

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