Lucknow, March 1 Muslim organizations in Lucknow expressed grief and anger on Sunday over the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint attack by the US and Israel, and announced protest and prayer programs.
Maulana Yasoob Abbas, general secretary of the All India Shia Personal Law Board, said a large protest and a condolence meeting would be held at the Chhota Imambara on Sunday evening.
He said effigies of US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be burned during the protest.
The Shia community has announced three days of mourning, during which people will wear black, hoist black flags at their homes, and organize special prayers, Abbas said.
Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, an executive member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the Shaha Qazi of Lucknow, condemned Khamenei's killing and called on the international community to oppose what he termed a violation of international law.
He said special prayers would be offered in Sunni mosques for the Iranian supreme leader and for peace.
Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawwad described Khamenei's killing as "one of the most tragic events of the century."
Prominent Shia community leader Maulana Saif Abbas Naqvi said it was a day of grief for Muslims worldwide and called for global condemnation.
When the rest of the world was silent against Israel's oppression of the Muslims of Gaza, it was Khamenei who raised his voice, which is why the oppressive countries became his enemies, Naqvi said.
Maulana Jawwad said all justice-loving and humanitarian people should rise above religious sentiments and organize condolence meetings.
Naqvi said the entire world should unite and condemn the actions of the US and Israel that have plunged the entire Middle East into the fire of war.
He said today is a day of great sorrow for Muslims all over the world.
Khamenei spoke for the interests of not one community, but for the interests of Muslims all over the world. The entire world also saw how he stood with the oppressed people of Palestine, victims of Israeli oppression, Naqvi said.