2 min readJaipurMar 20, 2026 09:26 PM IST
The Shia community in Rajasthan has decided not to celebrate Eid this year and observe a period of mourning amid reports surrounding the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Community members will sport black armbands and refrain from all customary festivities.
The death of Khamenei, 86, in a major attack launched by the US and Israel was announced on March 1 by Iranian state television.
Syed Nazish Akbar Kazmi, Imam of the Shia Jama Masjid on Amer Road, said that no celebratory practices would be held. “Neither sewaiyan nor other sweet dishes will be prepared, and people will not exchange Eid greetings. No new clothes will be purchased nor will any gifts be given to relatives,” he said, adding that similar sentiments were being expresed by members of the community not only in Rajasthan but in other part so the country also.
Expressing grief, Kazmi described Khamenei as the leading religious authority of the Shia community and alleged that the US and Israel were responsible for his death. “When the table talks were ongoing between the US and Iran, during that time the war started. This war is unjust and cruel.”
He said the community would mark Eid by offering prayers and expressing solidarity, including prayers directed against nations perceived as hostile to Iran.
Kazmi further described the Iran-Israel conflict as “a battle between oppression and justice” rather than a religious conflict, and called for global voices to speak out against what he termed as ‘ongoing injustices’.
Community members said Eid would be observed in a sudued manner, limited to prayers.
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According to community estimates, there are around 8,000 Shia Muslims in Rajasthan. In Jaipur, there are three Shia mosques in the old city. Shias have been residing in the city since its founding, though many migrated to Pakistan during partition. Subsequent migration to other places for employment has further reduced their numbers in the state.
