Mohsen Hojjaji, who was captured on the Syria-Iraq border and beheaded in August by the Islamic State (IS), was buried today in Esfahan among thousands of mourners who poured into the famous Naghsh-e Jahan Square. It was Hojjaji whose haunting, stoic picture shortly after his base was overrun captured the attention of Iranians and came to symbolize Iran’s fight against IS.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei read prayers at a large funeral procession for Hojjaji in Tehran. He also met with Hojjaji’s father, mother and widow, telling them, “There are many martyrs; all of our martyrs are dear. But there are special qualities in this young man.” Hojjaji’s 2-year-old son was also present at the Tehran service, dressed in military fatigues.