September 17 (Reuters) – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei received a group of visitors at a religious ceremony on Saturday in his first public appearance in more than two weeks.
State television showed Khamenei, 83, standing as he spoke in a firm voice to his audience seated on the ground about the importance of Arban, a ceremony which marks the end of a period 40-day mourning for the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, Imam Hussein.
Two sources close to Khamenei denied to Reuters on Friday that his condition had deteriorated, in response to questions about the matter. Ali Khamenei had not appeared in public since meeting his Thran supporters on September 3, sparking rumors on social media.
The New York Times reported on Friday, citing four people familiar with the Ayatollah’s condition, that the leader canceled all meetings and public appearances last week after falling seriously ill, adding that he is currently bedridden and monitored by doctors.
On Saturday, Khamenei told the audience that believers should rely on the Koran, which calls for patience in difficult times – an akin to the economic difficulties of Iran, which is facing US sanctions.
“Patience is perseverance, it’s resisting, not getting tired, not feeling deadlocked,” he said. (French version Benjamin Mallet)