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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran
The national coordinator of the Ahlulbait Foundation in South Africa and Africa, speaking on behalf of the Shia Muslim community, has asked for prayers for peace to prevail in the Middle East. A special prayer service was held in Ottery, in Cape Town, following the killing of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, by joint US and Israeli airstrikes.
The foundation condemned the military action as heinous, but says the movement of resistance will never die with the killing of its leadership.
A sermon and prayer meeting in Ottery was held in commemoration of the late Ayatollah of Iran.
Expressing heartbreak and shock at the news of the killing, the Ahlulbait Foundation says it is not surprising. The organisation lauded Ayatollah as one of its great leaders.
Some Iranians grieved while others celebrated the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, exposing a deep fault line in a country stunned by the sudden demise of the man who ruled for 36 years. pic.twitter.com/FqlFML8sgX
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 1, 2026
“He was not just a political leader; for millions of Muslims, he was also a spiritual and religious leader. Therefore, we do not view this assault, attack, and assassination as merely a political act, but as an assault on our sacred values, our sacred institutions, and our sacred leaders and personalities,” says AhlulBait Foundation of SA and Africa, Moulana Syed Aftab Haider.
Moulana Haider emphasised that the Ayatollah’s message with his death will not die, not only in Iran, but across the world. The cleric requested all leaders of faith to stand together and pray for peace and justice to prevail in the Middle East.
“It is time for solidarity; it is time for being together. Our differences, our theological disagreements on faith issues or articles, are not the matter. We all believe in common values like compassion, love, humanity, justice, standing for the oppressed, international law, and respect for the sovereignty of a nation and a state. These are not disputed issues between any religion or faith tradition. Therefore, while there might be some differences or disagreements among us regarding this great leader, it is a time of solidarity to stand with the people of Iran, the Muslim Ummah, and the Muslim nation of Islam in these very difficult and testing times. We, of course, pray for peace to prevail in the region,” adds Haider.
The Iranian embassy in South Africa says it is mourning the death of Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali-Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli military strike. pic.twitter.com/Pj8T6ZaFn7
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 1, 2026
The South African Zionist Federation expressed support for America and Israel.
“We would like, at this time, to express our support for the United States of America and for Israel in their efforts to challenge a regime that has, for decades, called for Israel’s destruction and is currently suppressing its own people. In the last eight to ten weeks, this regime has murdered tens of thousands of Iranian civilians who were pleading for a voice and their own democracy. We look forward to a free and prosperous Iran, where the people can live freely. We call on all South Africans to support the people of Iran in their pursuit of dreams, freedoms, and a brighter future,” says Craig Pantanowitz, National Chairman, South African Zionist Federation.
Four international flights from Cape Town, destined for the Middle East, were cancelled, leaving travellers stranded. There is no indication at this stage when Qatar Airways or Emirates will resume flights to the region.
