One of the most dangerous practices adopted by ideological regimes and movements is the transformation of the Holy Qur’an (the Book of guidance and mercy) into a tool of political propaganda and military messaging. When Qur’anic verses are used to portray militias and terrorist organizations as divinely legitimized actors, granting them religious legitimacy and symbolic status before their followers, the sanctity of the sacred text is pushed aside and stripped from its intended context in favor of political objectives.

The Iranian regime’s use of religion to advance its political, social, and economic agenda is nothing new. For decades, it has been a defining feature of its official discourse. What is particularly striking in this instance, however, is the shift toward a more deliberate exploitation of the Qur’an itself by selecting specific verses to deliver political and symbolic messages to the delegations attending the funeral, a scene that illustrates the extent to which political propaganda has become embedded within religious discourse.

It was widely expected that the Iranian regime would exploit this event for both religious and political purposes, especially given that the funeral ceremony was postponed for an extended period, allowing sufficient time to carefully plan every detail and construct the messages intended to the Iranian public, its regional allies, and its international adversaries. In this context, the selection of specific Qur’anic verses for each delegation appears far from accidental. Rather, it formed part of a carefully designed symbolic narrative carrying political meanings that extended well beyond the funeral itself.

This became evident during Khamenei’s funeral ceremony, where the Qur’anic verses accompanying the reception of each delegation were far more than ceremonial........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)