IRANIANS OBSERVE EID PRAYERS AMID MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS (PHOTOS)
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
Thousands of Muslims gathered in Iran on Saturday to observe Eid al-Fitr prayers, marking the end of Ramadan, amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, according to state television footage.
Iran, a predominantly Shia country, celebrated the end of the holy month a day later than most Muslim nations, which are largely Sunni.
Although the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader traditionally leads the Eid prayers, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei—who has not been seen in public since his appointment earlier this month—was absent from the event.
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Instead, the head of the judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, attended the prayers at central Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Grand Mosque, named after the founder of the Islamic Republic.
Due to limited space, many worshippers prayed outside the mosque, with state television showing large crowds gathered around the area despite the risk of possible strikes.
The Iranian capital has come under near-daily bombardment since a joint US-Israeli attack started the war on February 28, killing top officials, including Mojtaba’s father and predecessor Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Overnight strikes again targeted several districts of Tehran and its outskirts, as well as the central city of Isfahan, according to the Fars News Agency.
Iranian television also showed prayer gatherings elsewhere in the country, including in Arak in the centre, Zahedan in the southeast, and the western city of Abadan.
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