Protests by Shias across west UP after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s death

AGRA: Thousands of Shia community members, including women and clerics, dressed in black -- a symbol of mourning -- took to the streets in many parts of western UP on Sunday condemning the assassination of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the US-Israeli airstrikes in Tehran.Calling for global accountability of the perpetrators after the killing of the 86-year-old leader, who was a prominent figure among Shias, people carrying black banners staged protests in Aligarh, Agra, Amroha, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and Saharanpur along with other towns and villages.In Muzaffarnagar, people marched from Zainabia School Kidwai Nagar to Fakkar Shah Chowk raising slogans in support of the slain Iranian leader, before submitting a memorandum -- addressed to the President of India -- to the local authorities. Members of the Sunni community also joined the protest.The memorandum urged authorities to convey their concerns through "the highest diplomatic channels". Rashid Zaidi, a writer, who was present, said, "He (Khamenei) was a real hero. He chose to die with dignity instead of hiding somewhere..." Emotional comments by others reverberated across the protest sites.Advocate Naseem Ahmad Zaidi, one of the organisers, said the gathering was meant to pay their homage and raise a collective voice.Similar protests were reported in Aligarh, where a large number of people assembled soon after the news of Khamenei's death spread. Mukhtar Zaidi, a participant, said, "We want to give a message of strength and solidarity. We've neither bowed our heads before oppressors nor will we ever do so."In Agra, scores of demonstrators stood outside Shaheed-e-Salis Mosque, raising slogans while expressing grief and shock. Maulana Shehzad Hussain Bilgrami, Imam-e-Juma of Agra, conveyed condolences and paid his tribute to the departed leader.