ARMENIANS MOURN DEMISE OF LATE IMAM KHOMEYNI

Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran
June 4 2007

Tehran, 4 June: A group of Iranian Armenians residing in Tehran arrived
in the mausoleum of Founder of the Islamic Republic, the late Imam
Khomeini in southern Tehran on Monday [4 June] to commemorate the
18th departure anniversary of the Father of the Islamic Revolution.

Robert Kartazian, a member of the Armenian community, told IRNA that
his religious minority had presented several martyrs

in the course of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the 1980-88 Iraqi
imposed war.

He reiterated that all Iranians are duty-bound to follow the guidelines
and ideals of the late Imam Khomeini.

Also talking to IRNA correspondent at the Imam’s mausoleum, a member
of the Armenian Prelacy stressed that members of the Armenian minority
have always had active presence in all aspects of their society along
with their Muslim brethren.

Iranians of every walk of life gathered at the late Imam’s mausoleum
since early Monday to mark the sad occasion.

A large group of foreign and domestic reporters and cameramen were
covering the event.

Big pictures of the late Imam Khomeini and his successor, the Supreme
Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene’i were carried by the mourners.

The followers of Imam Khomeini who have come from throughout Iran,
some on foot, and also from various countries of the world, are all
dressed in black.

Black flags and banners are hanging from public buildings and streets
in Tehran and shops and businesses are closed.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress