A high-ranking Saudi-Arabian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khereiji attended the funeral commemorations for the assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran the other day. Not surprisingly, Verse 13 of surah 3, āli ʿimrān was recited.

Indeed, there was a sign for you in the two armies that met in battle—one fighting for the cause of Allah and the other in denial. The believers saw their enemy twice their number.¹ But Allah supports with His victory whoever He wills. Surely in this is a lesson for people of insight.

The Battle of Badr in March 624 (17 Ramadan 2 AH) was the first victory of the followers of the Prophet Muhammad over the Meccan tribe of Quraysh. It was completely unexpected, given the hopeless imbalance between the two armies. Support came from heaven as legend and verses 123-125 of the surah tell that thousands of angels participated in the battle.

In choosing the above verse the Iranian clerics made clear that the Shi’ites are seen on the right site, “fighting for the cause of Allah”. It is a political message to the Saudis who may have betrayed Allah’s cause for the God Mammon (and aligned with the Great Satan, as Iranians call the United States).

As millions follow the ongoing funeral procession to Qom and later this week to Najaf and Karbala one may see the difference in organisation of a true historic event.

Compare this to Donald Trump’s turned out badly 250 anniversary of American independence on the weekend. Overshadowed by his failed attempts to beautify Washington DC and his disastrous speeches at Mount Rushmore and the National Mall on that occasion. The 4th of July, America’s National Day which once filled the hearts of every American with pride and gratefulness.

Trump was apparently surprised when he heard about the events in Tehran. “I thought the Iranians hated Khamenei” was his reaction on seeing crying Iranians at the funeral commemorations. “It could be fake tears.”

6 July 2026 @ 10:42 UTC+2.

Last modified July 6, 2026.