Overview
- Ahlul-Bayt Islamic Society at UCL described Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s killing as “martyrdom,” offered condolences, and urged Shia in the West to remain “aware and ready.”
- The society compared Khamenei’s standing for many Shia to the Pope’s role in Catholicism and shared prayers and eulogies.
- In a follow-up statement, the group said its message was not incitement or endorsement of violence and framed it as protected speech.
- Public figures including James Price, author and UCL student Dov Forman, and MP Suella Braverman condemned the post, with Braverman calling it a disgrace in Parliament.
- UCL and the students’ union have been asked for comment, as the dispute plays out after Iran confirmed Khamenei’s death following reported Israeli–US strikes and before which President Donald Trump announced the killing on social media.