TEHRAN -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said here Saturday the massive turnout of people in funeral processions for the late President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions is a testament to the nation’s loyalty to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in meeting with the families of Iranian President Raisi, Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian and their companions who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran last Sunday. 
Referring to the massive turnouts in Tabriz, Qom, Tehran, Rey, Birjand, Mashhad, Maragheh, Zanjan and Najafabad, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution said, “These glorious funerals showed that the Iranian nation is full of spirit.”
The Leader touched on the enemies’ propaganda and claims of the people’s separation from the Islamic Republic.
“Before the eyes of the world and in practice, this incident proved the deep attachment and loyalty of the Iranian nation to the President and those who embodied the mottos of the Revolution.” 
Ayatollah Khamenei described the late Iranian president as a true representation of the principles of the Islamic Revolution. 
“From the very beginning of his presidential campaign, Mr. Raisi stressed the mottos of the Revolution and the words of Imam Khomeini. The entire world knew him as the President of the Revolution.”
The Leader said, “When people show such strong support and admiration for this man, they are essentially endorsing the mottos of the Revolution.”
During the meeting, the Leader stated that working for the people, serving the people, and caring for the people were among some of the most prominent characteristics of the martyrs who lost their lives during last week’s helicopter crash in northwestern Iran. 
“The late Mr. Raisi worked tirelessly day and night in the true sense of the word,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution conveyed his condolences to the families of the martyrs and praised the late Mr. Amir-Abdollahian as tireless in his efforts. 
“The account of the services and endeavors of Mr. Raisi and Mr. Amir-Abdollahian on both the domestic and foreign fronts is a long and detailed story,” he added.
The Leader also said one of the most prominent features of Tabriz’s late Friday prayer leader Ayatollah Muhammad Ali Ale-Hashem was that he brought a whole new meaning to the Friday prayer. 
“Since his appointment as the Friday prayer leader of Tabriz, the late Ale-Hashem transformed this prayer from a simple act of worship to a holistic practice, encompassing spirituality, service to others, and community engagement.”
Ayatollah Khamenei said a salient feature of the head of the president’s security team Gen. Mehdi Mousavi, and Governor of East Azarbaijan province Malek Rahmati, and the flight crew in the helicopter crash was their dedication to public service, emphasizing that these very traits are the reason God made them a source of pride for the Iranian nation.