Iran marks Jerusalem Day after 2-year pandemic suspension

By AMIR VAHDAT
Associated Press

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Thousands of Iranians have marched in the capital of Tehran to mark “Quds Day,” or Jerusalem Day, a traditional show of support for the Palestinians. Friday’s rally was the first time such marches were held since before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Iran has been marking the day, the last Friday of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, since the start of its 1979 Islamic Revolution led by the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The name Quds Day comes after the Arabic name for Jerusalem. Demonstrators chanted “Death to Israel” and “Death to America,” slogans that have also become tradition in mass rallies in Iran since its revolution.