Hawzah News Agency (Urumia, Iran) - In a message on Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed condolences to the family of Hojat-ol-Islam Hassani, and the clergy and people of Urumia and West Azarbaijan province.

The Leader also paid tribute to the late cleric for tireless and all-out efforts in defending the Islamic Establishment against both foreign invaders and counter-revolutionaries in the country.

Ayatollah Khamenei prayed that God bestow upon his soul mercy and forgiveness and elevate his ranks in the hereafter.

Hojat-ol-Islam Hassani was the first imam (prayer leader) of the grand mosque of Urmia after the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

He also served as a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly in the first term from electoral district of Urmia and representative of the Leader in West Azarbaijan province and Friday prayer leader of Urumia.

He died on Monday at the age of 91.

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