Protestors clash with mourners at candlelit vigil for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Manchester
Mourners holding a candlelight memorial service for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei clashed with anti-Iran regime protesters in Manchester city centre.
Khamenei, who presided over a brutal regime that murdered thousands of its citizens, oppressed women and financed terrorist organizations, was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on Saturday morning.
A candlelight vigil was held on Manchester’s Sydney Street at 8pm on Wednesday, with people invited to attend an event for ‘the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Hossein Khamenei’.
Posters stated that the event, where mourners waved Palestinian flags, was supported by the Friends of Manchester Islamic Centre.
While police separated the two sides, tense discussions took place between pro-Iranian monarchy demonstrators and those mourning the death of Iran’s former Supreme Leader.
Those who attended the vigil ceremony carried pictures of the Ayatollah, lit candles, signed their pictures and left messages telling Khamenei how much they “admired” him.
‘Killed at the hands of the Zios,’ one poster read, a derogatory term used to describe Zionists popularized by Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke.
Another said: ‘Mosques are sacred places of worship.’
Mourners holding a candlelight memorial for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei clashed with protesters in Manchester city center
A candlelight vigil was held on Manchester’s Sydney Street at 8pm on Wednesday, with people invited to attend an event for ‘the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Hossein Khamenei’.
Mourners burned images of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and held up images of the Ayatollah
One mourner burned a picture of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while another placed a sign next to a picture of the ayatollah urging people to ‘boycott Israeli dates’.
Counter-protesters waved the flags of the United States, Israel and the pre-1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution.
They also carried photographs of Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah of Iran.
One of them carried a banner saying ‘Pahlavi will return’, while others burned pictures of Khamenei
Speaking ahead of the vigil, Deputy Chief Constable Chris Sykes of Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Events in the Middle East are important to those living in Greater Manchester with ties to Iran and the wider region. It is understandable that these evoke a variety of views and emotions.
‘We are aware of plans for a vigil in the city center on Wednesday night and a counter-protest nearby. ‘We are in contact with relevant individuals as well as our partners at Manchester City Council.’
Asked about criticism of the ongoing vigil, he said: ‘We understand the strength of feeling from people questioning how and why such meetings can be held.
‘Simply put, we cannot ban gatherings unless there is a clear risk to life and property; ‘This is a very high threshold constrained by current legislation.’
He added: ‘We contacted both the vigil organizers and the nearby counter protest. They made clear their intention for their meetings to be peaceful.’
Picture: A woman holds a photo of Ayatollah Hamani as he attends a memorial service for the former Supreme Leader
One mourner left a sign next to a picture of the late tyrant urging people to ‘boycott Israeli dates’
Others boasted of their ‘loyalty’ to Khamenei, who massacred thousands of his citizens in January
‘GMP continue to police without fear or favor. We are well resourced and experienced in managing such meetings and events on a regular basis to minimize wider disruption and prioritize public safety.
‘Everyone here must act responsibly. Action will be taken against anyone suspected of violating the law.
‘Our local officers will continue to engage with participants and have the support of specialist resources should this be required.’
The vigil came after some Islamic societies at British universities faced criticism for their veneration of the late tyrant.
More than a dozen student bodies expressed their ‘sincere condolences’ to the ‘beloved’ dictator; one of which hosted a candlelight vigil.
Members of the Ahl al-Bayt Islamic Society (AbSoc) at the University of Manchester attended Wednesday’s vigil.
They also plan to host a ‘commemoration’ meeting on Friday to ‘commemorate those who were martyred in the recent attacks’.
ABSoc at University College London described the killing of the Supreme Leader as ‘martyrdom’ and expressed condolences from ‘everyone’ in the community.
Those who made a long statement saying, ‘We offer our condolences for the martyrdom of our beloved’ said, ‘Do not let the enemies of justice rejoice in the blood of Muslims.’
Counter-protesters burn images of Khamenei as they celebrate his death in Manchester
Demonstrators waved Israeli and pre-1979 Revolution Iranian flags as they protested the vigil
As dozens of people mourned the late Ayatollah, a woman held up a banner reading ‘Pahlavi will return’
‘Killed at the hands of the Zios,’ one poster read, a derogatory term used to describe Zionists popularized by Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke.
Donald Trump confirmed that Khamenei was killed, calling him “one of the worst people in history.”
Mr Trump added: ‘He could not evade our intelligence and our highly sophisticated surveillance systems, and because he worked closely with Israel there was nothing he or the other leaders killed with him could have done.’
Authorities in Iran postponed Khamenei’s funeral on Wednesday as US and Israeli forces launched intense attacks across the country.
His successor has not been finalized, but his son Mojtaba Khamenei appears poised to take over after gaining the support of the powerful Revolutionary Guard.
