Kamal Ghorui
LUCKNOW: Lucknow’s Chota Imambara witnessed an intense outpouring of grief and reverence on Wednesday night as Abdul Majeed Hakeem Ilahi, special representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in India, addressed a packed Majlis-e-Tarheem. While the gathering reflected mourning, the central thread of Ilahi’s speech was Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei’s deep and enduring love for India and its people, a sentiment that resonated strongly with the audience.Speaking in Persian and translated into Urdu by local scholar Qamar Husnain, Ilahi said Khamenei’s connection with India was not symbolic but deeply personal and intellectual.He recalled how the Supreme Leader followed Indian scholarship closely, read books by Indian authors, and remained aware of the country’s intellectual traditions. “He knew Indian scholars by name and would often refer to their work,” Ilahi said, underlining the depth of that engagement.Ilahi admitted that for years he had wondered why Khamenei held such affection for India. That question, he said, found its answer only after the leader’s death. “I now understand why he loved India so much,” he told the gathering, pausing as silence spread across the Imambara.He pointed to the widespread mourning witnessed across the country, cutting across religious lines. “I have seen it with my own eyes,” Ilahi said. “Shia, Sunni, Hindu, Sikh, Christian. The grief was not limited to one community. People from all backgrounds expressed sorrow, shed tears, and showed their love.” This shared emotional response, he said, revealed the real bond between Khamenei and India.Describing India as a land of justice, spirituality and humanity, Ilahi said it was natural for people here to feel connected to a leader who stood for dignity and moral values. His remarks triggered visible emotion in the audience, with many attendees quietly weeping and others nodding in agreement.After dwelling on Khamenei’s connection with India, Ilahi turned to other aspects of his life, portraying him as a leader who combined power with simplicity. He said that despite holding the highest office in Iran for decades, Khamenei never owned a personal house. Even his family, including his four sons, continued to live in rented accommodation. The claim drew murmurs of surprise and admiration from the gathering.“He had authority, influence and position, yet chose a life of detachment from material wealth,” Ilahi said, presenting it as a reflection of his character.Narrating a striking episode, Ilahi said that when Khamenei was warned about threats to his life and advised moving to a secure bunker with his family, the leader refused. Instead, he asked how protection could be ensured for millions of ordinary Iranians, especially the poor who had no shelter. “How can I save myself when my people remain unprotected?” Ilahi quoted him as saying, describing it as a reflection of his deep sense of responsibility.He further described Khamenei’s spiritual discipline, saying he would wake hours before dawn for prayers and remain composed even during crises. Ilahi also drew parallels between Khamenei and Imam Hussain, saying both embodied sacrifice, patience and unwavering resolve.As the speech concluded, the atmosphere inside Chota Imambara remained heavy with emotion.
