Pakistani cleric declares Ayatollah Khamenei a martyr

A leading Islamic scholar and a member of Pakistan’s National Assembly, Moulana Fazl ur Rehman, declared Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a martyr, signalling a major moment in Sunni–Shia geopolitical relations.

By SAYED RIDHWAAN MOHAMED

Moulana Fazl ur Rehman (second from right), the leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam-F, holds a high-level meeting with the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam (left), to express solidarity with the Iranian people. During the discussion, the Moulana called for unity within the Muslim world and urged that the Ummah confront Zionism collectively rather than turning against one another. (Photo: Facebook/ @MoulanaOfficial)

In a landmark diplomatic event that has redefined Sunni–Shia geopolitical relations, Moulana Fazl ur Rehman, the world-renowned Islamic scholar and president of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (JUI-F), declared the late Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a martyr (shaheed).

The declaration took place on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, during a high-level visit to the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad. The visit followed the death of the Supreme Leader on March 1 during a US–Israel military attack. As a Member of the National Assembly and the khalifah of the late Hadhrat Moulana Yusuf Ludhyanwi (RA), Moulana Fazl ur Rehman’s use of the title ‘shaheed’ carries significant theological and political weight, effectively bridging a centuries-old denominational divide in the face of a common external threat.

The JUI-F solidified this stance through its official social media channels, which published a message mourning the ‘martyrdom’ of Ayatollah Khamenei. The declaration signals a strategic shift for the party, moving from traditional diplomatic courtesy to a full ideological embrace of the Iranian ‘Resistance Front’.

During the visit, Moulana Fazl ur Rehman was received by Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam. In a moment of high symbolic value, the Moulana sat before a framed portrait of the late leader while recording his reflections in the official condolence book. He described the death as a sacrifice for the liberation of Al-Quds and asserted that Iran is currently serving as the ‘front line’ for the defence of Palestine against ‘Zionist-European aggression’.

Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam-F leader, Moulana Fazl ur Rehman, records his sentiments in the official condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Standing before a portrait of the late leader, the Moulana formally recognised the Supreme Leader as a martyr and strongly condemned the foreign military aggression. (Photo: Facebook/ @MoulanaOfficial)

The Moulana offered a sharp critique of the current geopolitical climate, labelling the military strikes a ‘second wave of aggression’ targeting Iran for its support of Hamas. He further questioned the validity of peace efforts led by the US administration, characterising President Donald Trump and his cabinet as ‘criminals’ whose involvement in the region remains a ‘stain on the name of peace’.

This forward-thinking leadership style prioritises the sovereignty of the Muslim Ummah over historical sectarian disputes, an effort to neutralise the ‘sectarian card’ often utilised by foreign powers to divide the region.

The South African tour and regional divergence

The Moulana’s global influence was previously highlighted during his tour of South Africa earlier this year. Addressing many ulama, students, leaders and media in Johannesburg and Durban, he urged the community to ‘look beyond their borders’ and understand the interconnected nature of global Islamic struggles.

However, a distinct factual divergence remains. While the Moulana was hosted with immense respect by senior South African figures, no major Sunni Muslim organisation in the country has followed his lead in adopting the title of martyr for the Iranian leader. While South African bodies have condemned the ‘murderous acts’ of foreign regimes, they have maintained a policy of traditional theological caution.

In fact, the Jamiatul Ulama KwaZulu-Natal issued a statement emphasising a ‘principled approach’, noting that while they condemn foreign aggression, they do not grant the status of ‘martyr’ or ‘hero’ to the late Iranian leader, citing Iran’s regional policies. This contrast underscores Moulana Fazl ur Rehman’s unique position as a leader willing to bypass traditional theological caution in favour of a unified ‘Resistance Front’ on this matter.

Following his embassy visit, Moulana Fazl ur Rehman called for an in-camera session of the Pakistani Parliament to fundamentally rethink the nation’s security doctrine. His leadership suggests that the future of the Muslim world depends on a unified front that transcends sectarian labels in favour of strategic resistance against external military intervention.