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Last Updated:March 03, 2026, 20:22 IST
The village in Sirauli Gauspur tehsil shares a historic and emotional link with Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Khamenei's spiritual mentor
As news of Khamenei’s death spread through television and social media, a visible silence descended upon Kintoor’s narrow lanes. (File image: AFP)
Special prayers were offered in Kintoor village of Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district on Tuesday evening following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in an Israeli airstrike amid the intensifying West Asia conflict. Residents gathered in mosques and homes to pray for the departed soul and for peace among nations as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate.
The quiet village in Sirauli Gauspur tehsil shares a historic and emotional link with Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and spiritual mentor to Khamenei. According to local accounts, Khomeini’s ancestors hailed from Kintoor before migrating to Iran in the 19th century, a connection that villagers say binds them symbolically to developments unfolding thousands of kilometres away.
On Tuesday evening, after Maghrib prayers, clerics led a special dua seeking peace for the departed leader’s soul and harmony across conflict-ridden regions. “We prayed for eternal peace for him and for calm between nations," said Maulana Syed Raza, a senior cleric of the village. “War brings only sorrow. Our prayers are for humanity and stability."
A Village Linked to History
As news of Khamenei’s death spread through television and social media, a visible silence descended upon Kintoor’s narrow lanes. Small groups gathered outside mosques, reflecting on the rapidly changing situation in West Asia.
Villagers say the roots of Khomeini’s family can be traced back to Syed Ahmad Musavi, believed to have been born in Kintoor in the early 19th century. Historical accounts suggest that in 1830, Musavi left India for Najaf, a major Shia religious centre in present-day Iraq, before eventually settling in the Iranian town of Khomein.
To preserve his Indian identity, he added the word “Hindi" to his name, becoming known as Syed Ahmad Musavi Hindi. Local residents claim that Iranian records still carry this name, symbolising his origins in Barabanki.
“Our elders always told us that Syed Ahmad Musavi belonged to this soil," said Syed Nihal Miyan, a 70-year-old resident who claims ancestral ties to the Musavi family. “When we heard about Ayatollah Khamenei’s death, it felt like a loss connected to our own extended history."
Legacy of the Islamic Revolution
In 1979, Ruhollah Khomeini led Iran’s Islamic Revolution, overthrowing Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and establishing the Islamic Republic. After the revolution, he became the country’s Supreme Leader, shaping Iran’s political and religious framework.
Following Khomeini’s death in 1989, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei assumed the role of Supreme Leader and remained one of the most influential figures in Iran’s contemporary history. Though Khamenei himself had no direct personal link to India, villagers say the ancestral connection of his mentor keeps Barabanki symbolically tied to events in Iran.
Dr Rehan Kazmi, a local resident, described the death as a profound moment for the community. “This is not about politics for us," he said. “We are praying for peace. We believe that conflicts only deepen human suffering."
Mourning and Reflection
The atmosphere in Kintoor remains subdued. Some families have organised Quran recitations, while others have continued offering individual prayers at home. Elders recall the village’s historic status as a centre of Shia learning and speak of the pride associated with its centuries-old connection to Iran.
“For us, this connection is part of our identity," said Mohammad Yasin, a retired schoolteacher. “We may be a small village, but history has linked us to global events. Our only hope is that peace prevails."
As the West Asia conflict unfolds and geopolitical tensions rise, Kintoor’s response has remained spiritual rather than political—offering prayers for the departed soul and seeking harmony among nations.
First Published:
March 03, 2026, 20:22 IST
News india Kintoor’s Quiet Tribute: Why This UP Village Is Praying For Peace After Khamenei’s Death
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