Berlin mosque hosts memorial following death of Iran’s supreme leader

Around 80 people gathered at the Imam Reza Mosque in Berlin to mourn the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a U.S. strike.

German police monitored the memorial service, and authorities reported no disturbances or clashes, German media reports. 

Several dozen people also held a counter-demonstration outside the mosque. Law enforcement officials confirmed that both gatherings remained peaceful.

The Imam Reza Mosque has regularly been under increased surveillance by German authorities. It is considered a meeting place for supporters of Hezbollah and pro-Palestinian organisations, with most worshippers coming from Lebanon.

In recent years, the mosque has frequently hosted mourning ceremonies for high-ranking Iranian figures, including a service in January 2020 for General Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. military operation in Iraq.

By Sabina Mammadli