IRNA – The commemoration service for the late Chairman of Iran's Expediency Council, Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, was held on his tomb in southern Tehran on Sunday.


Ayatollah Rafsanjani, an influential politician and one of the pillars of the Islamic Revolution died of an heart attack at the age of 82 in a Tehran hospital on Sunday (January 8). He was laid to rest at the mausoleum of the late father of the Islamic Revolution Imam khomeini.

The 7th day service was attended by Iranian people from all walks of life as well as a large number of Iranian officials.

Among the participants were President Hassan Rouhani, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, Chief of Staff of Supreme Leader's Office Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, the First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri, Tehran Mayor Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, and a number of cabinet ministers.

Addressing the mourning participants, the Expediency Council member, Hojjatoleslam Ali-Akbar Nateq-Nouri, said patience was one of the main characteristics of the late Ayatollah Rafsanjani.

'Sometimes I was really wondering how he (Ayatollah Rafsanjani) entered the Expediency Council on a Saturday morning in a calm manner and with a smiling face, despite all the pressures, problems, unkind behaviors and accusations,' Nateq Nouri said.

He said that it's not good to insult valuable figures while they are alive and regret when they pass away.

Referring to the magnificent funeral procession of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani last week, Nateq-Nouri said the Iranian nation bade farewell to their beloved man.

Ayatollah Rafsanjani was not an opposition leader, rather he was a pillar of the Islamic Revolution, he added.