Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has reacted to the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, describing him as “a lucky soul” who “died in jihad.”
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Sunday, Gumi said Khamenei lost his life “in jihad against killers of innocent children and women in Gaza and elsewhere.” He added that the late Iranian leader’s death would inspire change across the Muslim world.
“Ali Khamenei: A lucky soul, he died in Jihad against killers of innocent children and women in Gaza and elsewhere,” Gumi wrote.
“His blood will fuel the change in the ummah. He stood firmly for justice and didn’t hide in bunkers. For those who killed him or assisted in killing him, let us see what they will live to do in this world.”
Khamenei, who had led Iran since 1989, was a dominant figure in the country’s political and religious structure for over three decades. He reportedly died following an Israeli airstrike in Tehran on Saturday.
Iranian state television confirmed his death in an early morning broadcast at about 5:00 a.m. (0130 GMT), airing archival footage with a black banner to signify national mourning. The broadcaster announced a 40-day mourning period and seven public holidays in his honour.
“With the martyrdom of the supreme leader, his path and mission will neither be lost nor forgotten; rather, they will be pursued with greater vigour and zeal,” a presenter declared during the transmission.
Khamenei was 86 years old at the time of his death.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier stated on Saturday that Khamenei was killed in coordinated airstrikes. However, there was initially no independent confirmation from Tehran regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.
