[Today's Prayer] Iran shocked by president's death... Crowd of mourners in Tehran (comprehensive)

5 days of national mourning... Arts and sports events are also completely suspended.

Iran was shocked when Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's death was finally confirmed on the morning of the 20th (local time), a day after he went missing in an unexpected helicopter crash.

According to the AP and AFP news agencies, people of all ages and genders were seen in various places in the capital Tehran, looking devastated and buying newspapers spreading the news of President Raisi's death from newsstands.

Restaurant owners and customers stared intently at the TV screen broadcasting live news of the sudden death of their country's president.

Immediately after news of the helicopter accident broke the afternoon the previous day, citizens who had gathered at each square or mosque to pray for the safe return of the passengers were unable to contain their shock and disappointment.

Esmail Mirbahibi, who lives in Tehran, lamented about President Raisi, saying, "It will not be easy to replace him as he is a very popular figure throughout the country," and added, "I think his vacancy will be large."

Behzad Mohammadi said he could not sleep a wink because he was worried about President Raisi's safety ever since he saw the news of the accident, and said, "It's sad that his fate is ultimately martyrdom."

Iranian local media reported that memorial prayer services were held in a somber atmosphere throughout major Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran.

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However, in some quarters, dissatisfaction with the hard-line conservative government, which has grown due to the bloody suppression of the hijab protests that began in 2022 and the long-term economic difficulties and hardships of the people, was also detected.

Tehran citizen Mahrouz Mohammadi Zadeh said, "I'm not saying President Raisi didn't do his duty," but added, "He didn't put in as much effort as needed for the people."

This morning, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei announced that the next five days would be declared a period of national mourning

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President Raisi's funeral will be held in Tehran on the 22nd.

President Raisi suffered the incident while heading to the oil refinery site in Tabriz after attending the completion ceremony of the Giz Galashi Dam held in the northwestern province of East Azerbaijan the previous afternoon with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

The helicopter he was on crashed in the Dismar mountainous area near the Azerbaijani border. All nine people on board, including Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian, died.

Source: Yonhap News

From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth. (Selah) (Psalm 76:8-9)

We hear that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in an unexpected helicopter crash and declared five days of national mourning.

In a chaotic situation where the souls of Iran are shocked and mourning and some are dissatisfied with the government, we want to seek the face of God who reigns in the midst.

We believe that the God will now reign in Iran through the countless Christians of faith who have risen up in this land.

Would you calm all confusion and allow us to see you reign, the ruler of Iran and its eternal King.

Please help us to be restored as God’s people who bow down and worship in awe of you, our Savior.

The Lord is the One who hears and fulfills the blood of martyrs shed on this land and all the prayers offered here. May the God’s works begin!