Preparation for Farewell: A Body Lies in Mosalla
After Khomeini’s death, the Iranian government quickly declared a period of national mourning. As the heart of the Iranian Revolution, Khomeini was not only a political leader but also a religious authority. His passing created a deep emotional wound for many in the nation. Preparations began immediately to pay him a farewell befitting his stature.
On June 5, 1989, Khomeini’s body was transferred to Tehran’s Mosalla, the city’s major prayer site, typically used for large religious ceremonies. But this occasion was unlike any other. Security was tight, and thousands of clergy, military officials, politicians, and foreign dignitaries gathered alongside a growing sea of Iranian citizens.
Inside the Mosalla, a large refrigerated container with glass walls was installed. It was placed atop several cargo containers to elevate it, allowing mourners to see the body from afar. Inside lay Khomeini, dressed in the traditional black robe and turban, a black turban placed on his chest symbolizing his Sayyid lineage, denoting descent from the Prophet Muhammad.
This glass-walled structure was not just a practical cooling measure—it became a symbolic display of the transparency and solemnity surrounding Khomeini’s final hours. People from all walks of life, from soldiers to villagers, made their way through the Mosalla to see the face of the man they had followed for decades. It was a moment of both reverence and disbelief. Despite his age and frailty, many had believed that Khomeini, the embodiment of divine authority to his followers, was almost immortal.