According to BBC Persian, while Hashemi Rafsanjani has traditionally led the Friday prayer in the Quds Days for last years, Iranian authorities have announced Ayatollah Seyyed Ahmad Khatami will lead Tehran’s Friday prayer and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will also speak before the sermons.
The capital’s Friday prayers headquarters announced in a Wednesday statement that Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement Ramadan Abdullah is also expected to address the crowds before the sermons. The statement came a day after Rafsanjani urged an epic turnout on Friday.
Meanwhile, mowjcamp reported on Wednesday that the Iranian government issued a statement asking companies to be flexible to the request of their employees to take the day off on the day before and after the Quds Day. Therefore, the four-day holidays (including Eid Fitr on Sunday) is expected as a way to empty Tehran from the people who have been planning to attend the Quds ceremony led by the reformist leaders (Khatami, Mousavi, and Karroubi).
Emruz also reported that Khatami has officially confirmed his attendance in the Quds Day’s rally which will be held before the Friday sermon and Prayer. Karroubi and Mousavi have previously announced their intention to participate as well.