Death and state funeral of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani

On 8 January 2017,

Hours after his death, his office announced that a state funeral would be held on 11 January in University of Tehran, with the place of burial being Mausoleum of Ruhollah Khomeini. It was previously announced he would be buried at Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom, but his family decided to change the place of burial.^[4]

State funeral

Thousands of the people and government officials attended the ceremony and Ali Khamenei performed the ritual prayer for the deceased (Salat al-Mayyit) in his funeral.^[5][6] Some foreign leaders like Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, Turkeministan Deputy Prime Minister Raşit Meredow, Iraqi foreign minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Georgian foreign minister Mikheil Janelidze, Azerbaijan parliament chair Ogtay Asadov, Malian national assembly president Issaka Sidibé, British Ambassador Nicholas Hopton, Lebanon's Nabih Berri and Armenian parliament speaker Galust Sahakyan also attended the event. The truck carrying Rafsanjani's coffin topped with his trademark white turban inched down Enqelab Street, one of the capital's main thoroughfares.^[7] Rafsanjani was buried next to the former supreme leader Ruhollah Khomeini.^[8]

There have been mentioned diverse statistics concerning the present population in the funeral, and it is estimated from 330,000^[9] to 2,500,000.^[10] According to BBC: "Tens of thousands of Iranians attended the funeral of the former president, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjan";^[11] also, according to Iranian TV and governor of Tehran, 2.5 million attended his funeral.^[12] It is also can be named as the third largest funeral in Iran; namely after Seyyed Ruhollah Khomeini's funeral who was estimated 10 (to 17) million participants,^{[citation needed]} and Qasem Soleimani's funeral with 7 million in Tehran as well as other cities.^[13]

Iranian Army's starch guard paying tribute to Rafsanjani.

Iranian officials at the ceremony.

Rafsanjani's body at Mausoleum of Ruhollah Khomeini

.

Memorial services was held by Iran's embassy at Baghdad, Kabul, London, Beirut, Tokyo, Ankara and other cities.

A memorial service in honour of Rafsanjani was held on 14 January 2017 in

Reactions

Iran

Persons

• Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran called Rafsanjani an "old friend and comrade" and said his loss is "difficult and life-decreasing." He hailed a "companion of struggle" despite their differences. He noted that Rafsanjani's loss was overwhelming and very hard to bear, adding that their cooperation and friendship had lasted for 59 years.
• President
  Islamic Revolution. "The soul of the great man of the revolution, symbol of patience and resistance, has gone to Heaven", saying Rouhani on his Twitter.^[14]
• At the start of a
  parliament session on the next day after Rafsanjani's death, parliament speaker Ali Larijani paid tribute to the late leader, describing Rafsanjani as "a man for hard days whose name has been always been tied to the revolution and it will always be so."^[15]
• Chairman of the
  Ali Movahedi-Kermani, Mohammad Yazdi, Yahya Rahim Safavi, Valiollah Seif and many more also expressed their condolences.^[16]
• Commanders of
  Iranian Army and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
  also expressed their condolences for Rafsanjani's death.
• Opposition leader, Mir-Hossein Mousavi said "Understanding of the revolution without his impact is impossible."
• Zahra Mostafavi Khomeini, daughter of Ruhollah Khomeini said that Hashemi's death was "bitter than poison for me".^[17]
• Sadegh Zibakalam, a Tehran university professor and prominent reformist also described Rafsanjani as "patiently stood against extremism", and said he will remember in history as a hero like Amir Kabir [Iranian reformist chancellor slain in 1851] and Mohammad Mosaddegh".

Political parties

His death is described as a "blow" to the

• Combatant Clergy Association, a party that Rafsanjani was a member of it but abandoned his activities since 2009, issued a statement and praised Hashemi's role in the Islamic Revolution of Iran and describes his role as "unforgettable".^[19]
• Executives of Construction Party published a statement on their website, describes loss of Hashemi Rafsanjani—a spiritual leader of them—as a "big disaster" for people of Iran and those who are interested in the way of developing prosperity and freedom in Iran.^[20]
• Moderation and Development Party, the ruling party that Hashemi's daughter (Fatemeh) is one of its central committee members issued a statement and describes Hashemi as "Father of the Moderation". The party also stated that "We are confident that his way will be continued by the lovers of the moderation and those who welfare of the people are important for them", saying party's spokesperson.^[21]
• Pro-reformists NEDA Party describes Hashemi's death as a shock news which grieved Iranians.^[22]
• Principlist Islamic Coalition Party condolences the death of Hashemi Rafsanjani and said in their statement that Hashemi was a great opposition of Shah's capitulation and was a helper of Amani, Bokharayi, Niknejhad and Harandi (founders of the party who executed by Shah regime).^[23] Asadollah Badamchian, a high-ranking member of the party said in a TV show that Rafsanjani has helped a group of ICP in the assassination of then-prime minister Hassan Ali Mansur. The claim was rejected by Rafsanjani's office.
• Newly formed Union of Islamic Iran People Party stated Hashemi's death are worried them at "a time that we needs continuity of his role in politics and strengthen the authority of moderation and hope", both domestically and internationally.^[24]
• Islamic Labour Party and its trade union Worker House issued a statement and describes Hashemi as "Great superman of history" and "Amir Kabir of the time". The party also said that Hashemi was a great supporter of workers and construction.^[25]
• Freedom Movement, an opponent of Rafsanjani during his presidency, published a condolence message. The party said in their message that Hashemi role in various fields, especially in recent years will not be erased from historical memory of the Iranian people and his absence will be felt in the political and social arena. The party also said "It's very difficult to judge the men of the actions [politics]".

Other commentators

• Top
  Jafar Sobhani and others. Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom and Qom Seminary
  also announced memorial ceremonies in honour of Hashemi.
• Iranian newspapers across the political spectrum are paying tribute to Rafsanjani. Most front pages are splashed with pictures and captions highlighting his central role in Iranian politics. Many have used black as a background. "Iran mourns the death of contemporary
  Aftab-e Yazd, under a picture of Rafsanjani's grieving children, affirms that "Iran is mourning". Even hard-line dailies are joining in the accolades. Javan notes his closeness to the founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in its headline: "Man of tough days of fighting and friend of Imam and the Leader rushes to meet God." Hard-line Vatan-e-Emrooz
  describes him as "one of the pillars" and "a genuine figure" of Iran's Islamic Revolution.

• Algeria – President Abdelaziz Bouteflika expressed condolences over the demise of Iran's Expediency Council chief Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani.^[27] In a message to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, Bouteflika said the late Ayatollah played a crucial role in enhancing solidarity within the Islamic Ummah. He said history will stand witness to the bold and distinguished part he played in elevating the Islamic solidarity.^[28]
• Ethiopia – President Mulatu Teshome in a message to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani condoled the Iranian people and government on the demise of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. In his message, Teshome expressed grief over the death of the late ayatollah and appreciated Hashemi for his effective role in the establishment of regional security.^[29]
• Ivory Coast – President of the Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara condoled with President Rouhani on the death of the Expediency Council chief.^[30]
• Mauritania – President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz sent a condolence message to President Rouhani. Ruling party Union for the Republic also sent a condolence message.
• Senegal – President Macky Sall expressed deep sorrow and condolences to Iranian president and nation over demise of the Ayatollah.
• South Africa – President Jacob Zuma issued a statement saying his nation "acknowledges President Rafsanjani's pioneering spirit in establishing stronger trade and political ties with African countries and South Africa."
• Zimbabwe – Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko voiced condolences over the demise of the Iranian Expediency Council Chairman Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to the Iranian government and nation. Zimbabwe VP pays homage to late Ayat. Rafsanjani. He signed up memorial book in Iran's embassy in Harare, capital of Zimbabwe, and paid homage to the late Ayatollah.^[31]

Asia

• Afghanistan – President Ashraf Ghani and the country's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah sent separate message to the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and expressed their sadness from the news. President Ghani said that Hashemi Rafsanjani, highly revered by his supporters, had played an influential role, during his presidency and in other positions, in the regional issues. On behalf of the people and the Government of Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani extends his deep condolences to his family, the Supreme Leader, the President, government and people of Iran.^[32]
• Armenia – President Serzh Sargsyan in a Twitter message condoled President Hassan Rouhani on demise of the late Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. He said Rafsanjani will be remembered by the Armenian people as a President of the neighboring country whose tenure in office was signified by the establishment of the initial interstate relations between the newly independent Armenia and Iran, which gave a new impetus to the centuries-long friendship of our two nations. "Based on the strong foundation, which was formed in those years, today we continue to expand and deepen our cooperation", said Sargsyan. Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan also condoled Iranian ambassador to Armenia on the departure of Ayatollah Rafsanjani.^[33]
• Azerbaijan – President Ilham Aliyev offered condolences over the death of former Iranian president Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "I was deeply saddened by the news of death of Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, former president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, outstanding statesman, public and political figure," said President Aliyev in his letter of condolences. "Being the example of loyalty to his state and people through all his activities and way of life, Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was also known as a wise and far-sighted politician. Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani made a significant contribution to the formation and the expansion of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan," he noted. President Aliyev also offered condolences to President of Iran Hassan Rouhani.^[34]
• Bahrain– A condolence message from King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was sent to Iran said he was "praying to almighty God for his soul to rest in peace and inspire Iran's president, its people and his family." Bahraini Foreign Minister, Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, whose country has tense relations with Iran, voiced condolences on Twitter over Rafsanjani's death.
• China – Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent a condolence message to his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, over the death of former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.^[35] Chinese Foreign Ministry also published a statement and called Rafsanjani an "influential leader". Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said that China offered sympathy to the government and people of Iran, as well as Rafsanjani's relatives. Lu also spoke highly of Rafsanjani's contributions to bilateral ties between Iran and China during his presidency.^[36]
• Iraqi National Coalition
  Ammar al-Hakim also sent condolence messages.
  • Massoud Barzani sent messages of condolences to Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani on the passing away of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. In his messages, Barzani expressed condolences on behalf of his nation to the Iranian people and government on the departure of the late Ayatollah. He also prayed for the peace of the soul of the deceased Ayatollah.^[37]
    Parliament Speaker Yusuf Mohammed Sadiq also sent a message.
• India – Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a message of condolence on the occasion of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani's demise. He prayed to almighty God for his soul to rest in peace and inspire Iran's president, its people and his family.^[38]
• Indonesia – President Joko Widodo said efforts made by Ayatollah Rafsanjani will remain in minds forever. He said that Ayatollah Rafsanjani's pasng would be a great loss for the Iranian nation. Widodo condoled with the Iranian nation and the bereaved family of Ayatollah Rafsanjani on behalf of Indonesian nation.^[39]
• Shinzō Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in separate messages extended condolences on the demise of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Abe in his message expressed sympathy on the sad occasion and hailed the achievements of the late chairman of the Expediency Council.^[40]
• Jordan – King Abdullah II sent a condolence message.
• Kazakhstan – Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in a message to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani condoled him and Ayatollah Khamenei on demise of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.^[41]
• Kuwait – Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, sent condolences over Rafsanjani's death, saying he "prayed to Allah the almighty to bestow blessings on the deceased."^[42]
• Lebanon – President Michel Aoun condolences the death of Rafsanjani with Iranian officials and the country's people. Prime Minister Saad Hariri also sent a message to Iranian President Rouhani, condoled him and the Iranian nation on the demise of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a moderate figure. Hariri said that Iran lost a man, who was among founders of the Islamic Republic of Iran and was an outstanding figure known for his moderate style. He used to forge interaction with countries on the basis of friendly relations, said Hariri.^[43] Condolence messages also came from pro-Iranian forces Hezbollah, which group's secretary general Hassan Nasrallah describes Hashemi as a "fervent supporter of resistance". Senior Lebanese politician and Leader of the Druze Progressive Socialist Party Walid Jumblatt praised Hashemi Rafsanjani for his role played in Iran's domestic and foreign policies.^[44]
• Malaysia – Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman in a message to his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif said that demise of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani is really a great loss for the Iranian people and government. '"I was sad to hear the news of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's demise and his sudden death is really a great loss for the Iranian people and government," the message said.^[45]
• Sultan Qaboos
  , country's ruler, sent a message of condolence to Iran over Rafsanjani's death.
• Pakistan – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the death of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who breathed his last yesterday in Tehran. He said Rafsanjani was an influential figure not only in Iran but also a symbol of reconciliatory peace efforts at the international level.^[46]
• Islamic Jihad Movement expressed sorrow over the passing away of Iran's former president issuing a message. A Hamas representative in Tehran also sent condolences and expressed grief over the demise. Palestinian embassy in Tehran also offered condolences in a statement. "The sad incident of the decease of Ayatollah Rafsanjani affected the sentiments of the Palestinian nation since they lost a great supporter," the message reads.^[47]
• Qatar – Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a message and condolences with the government and people of Iran.^[48]

• Syria – President Bashar al-Assad expressed condolences over the passing of Iran's former president and chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. In separate messages to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Assad said the news of Ayatollah Rafsanjani's passing caused great sadness. He also stressed that the late cleric "lived a life of struggle against injustice and oppression, and he was known for his bold positions and tireless efforts to preserve the dignity and freedom of the Iranian people."^[49]
• Tajikistan – Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has sent a message of condolence to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, saying he is grieved at the news of demise of the "prominent figure" of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
• Turkey – President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a condolence message to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani and described him as the person who "developed Iran and Turkey relations". Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in a message on his Twitter page extended his condolences on the demise of late Chairman of the State Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. "With much sorrow I received the news on the passing away of former Iranian President (Akbar) Hashemi Rafsanjani and I wish him God's blessing and condole with his bereaved family and the Iranian nation on his demise," Cavusoglu said in his Twitter message. Former President Abdullah Gül also extended his condolences on Ayatollah Rafsanjani's death. Minister of European Union Affairs Ömer Çelik also sent message.^[50]
• Anwar Mohammed Qarqash
  described Rafsanjani as "one of the voices of political realism and moderation".

Europe

• Belarus – President Alexander Lukashenko has expressed condolences to Iran President Hassan Rouhani, the people of Iran, the family and friends of former president of Iran Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in connection with his passing.^[53]
• Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bakir Izetbegović, Bosniak Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina sent a condolence message to the government and nation of Iran and called Rafsanjani a "hero of the peace".
• Bulgaria – President Rosen Plevneliev has extended condolences to President Hassan Rouhani on the passing away of the late Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. In his message, President Plevneliev expressed his deep sorrow and condolences to Iranian president and nation over demise of the Ayatollah.^[54]
• Cyprus – House of Representatives President Demetris Syllouris has conveyed his condolences in a letter to his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani, over the passing away of former Iranian President Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani. In his letter, he noted that Rafsanjani leaves behind a heritage in Iran's modern history which is also set apart "by his massive contribution to his country`s progress and prosperity."^[55]
• Germany – Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier condoled the demise of Ayatollah Hasehmi Rafsanjani. In a message to his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif, Steinmeier expressed condolences to the people and government of Iran over the sad occasion.^[56]
• Italy – Italian President Sergio Mattarella, in a message on Wednesday to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani, condoled him on the death of the late Chairman of Iran's Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Mattarella also extended condolences on his behalf and on the behalf of the Italian nation to the bereaved family of Ayatollah Rafsanjani and the whole Iranian nation. He said that serving as Iran's president, Ayatollah Rafsanjani played a significant role in expansion of the Iran-Italy ties based on firm belief in a mutual feeling of belonging to two very old civilizations.^[57]
• Latvia – Raimonds Vējonis, President of Latvia sent a condolence message and called Rafsanjani as a person who tried to extend Tehran's relations with the world.
• Poland – President Andrzej Duda condolences with Iranian government and people over decease of Rafsanjani.
• Russia – President Vladimir Putin condolences the decease of Rafsanjani in a message to the Iranian President.^[58]
• Slovenia – President Borut Pahor offered his condolence to the Iranian president on a message.
• United Kingdom – Islamic Centre of England condoles Ayatollah Rafsanjani's demise. "We wish to express our sorrow and sadness for the demise of this great man who had a major role in the history of the Islamic movement in Iran."^[59]

North America

• Raul Castro, President of Cuba, sent a message to his counterpart Hassan Rouhani to express condolences after the death of Rafsanjani. In his message, the Cuban dignitary asked to extend his sympathies to the relatives of the late Iranian leader.^[60]
• Nicaragua – President Daniel Ortega and his wife Vice President Rosario Murillo offered their condolence on their inauguration day in their message to President Hassan Rouhani called the late Ayatollah Rafsanjani as an outstanding figure in brotherly country of Iran. The two senior officials wrote in their message "We express our deepest and the most sincere condolences to Your Excellency, family of the late Ayatollah Rafsanjani, Iranian government and nation."^[61]
• US Department of State official also referred to Ayatollah Rafsanjani as a "prominent figure" throughout the history of Iran in a statement. "We send our condolences to his family and loved ones," said the statement.^[62] White House press secretary Josh Earnest
  also said Rafsanjani was a "prominent figure" and a "consequential figure" in Iran's history. He said the United States was sending its condolences to the Iranian people, but Earnest declined to speculate on how Rafsanjani's death might affect future Iranian policy toward the United States.

• Venezuela – Foreign Ministry, publishing an official statement on the occasion, announced that President Nicolás Maduro had offered his deep condolences on demise of Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani. The statement said Rafsanjani played important role in establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran and had noticeable influence on Iran's economic development before the imperialist aggression. Government of Venezuela underlines its solidarity with Iranian government and nation and expresses its condolences on demise of Ayatollah Rafsanjani, the Venezuelan government's statement concluded.

Supranational organisations

• United Nations – UN resident coordinator in Iran, Gary Lewis posted a message on his Twitter account, saying, "Entire UN family in Iran extends sincere condolences on sad demise of Fmr Pres Hashemi Rafsanjani".^[62]
• International Atomic Energy Agency – Director General Yukiya Amano offered his condelence over the news with signing a book of honour in Iran's embassy at Geneva.
• Irina Georgieva Bokova, head of UNESCO in a message condoled President Hassan Rouhani over the demise of the late Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. "Due to his enormous contribution to realization of reformist and moderate political trends to serve as the basis for Iran's development and its international engagement, Ayatollah Rafsanjani will never be forgotten," the message reads. In her message, she announced UNESCO's commitment to continue close cooperation with Iran to reinforce ties.^[63]
• Group of 77 – A minute of silence was also declared at group's summit in Geneva in honour of Hashemi.

Controversies

The funeral veered slightly off script when groups of mourners started shouting opposition slogans. The authorities were forced to raise the volume on the loudspeakers playing lamentation songs after some in the crowds took up cries of using name of former presidential candidate,

• Death and state funeral of Ruhollah Khomeini

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Death and state funeral of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

• [1], C-SPAN, 10 January 2017, videos from ceremonies