The Iranian cabinet on Sunday declared three days of public mourning following the passing away of former president and the Chairman of the country’s Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Tasnim News Agency reported.

“The cabinet declares three days of public mourning and announces Tuesday (January 10) as public holiday in a bid to honor old friend of Imam (Khomeini) and the Leader (of the Islamic Revolution),” a government statement said.

The statement also invited the Iranian nation to show massive participation at funeral procession of Ayatollah Rafsanjani.

Funeral procession will be held on Tuesday morning in Tehran. His body will reportedly be buried in Iran’s holy central city of Qom.

Ayatollah Rafsanjani passed away at a hospital in northern Tehran on Sunday at the age of 82 due to a heart attack.

Source: MENA