Virginia Mosque Holds Remembrance Service for Iran's Supreme Leader

Manassas Mosque, with alleged ties to Iranian regime, mourns death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A mosque in Northern Virginia, the Manassas Mosque, held a remembrance service for Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed over the weekend following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes against Tehran. The mosque, which has a history of incendiary behavior and alleged financial ties to the Iranian regime, invited followers to attend an iftar dinner to honor Khamenei's 'martyrdom'.

Why it matters

The Manassas Mosque's actions raise concerns about potential Iranian ideological influence over Muslim American religious institutions, as the mosque has previously expressed support for terrorist groups like Hamas and promoted conspiracy theories about 9/11. The mosque's connections to the Iranian regime also highlight ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

The details

The Manassas Mosque, a Shia Muslim religious center, hosted an iftar dinner on Sunday evening to honor 'His Eminence,' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The mosque invited followers to attend the potluck-style dinner, which began with Islamic prayer and ended in special programming dedicated to mourning Khamenei's death. The mosque has a history of incendiary behavior, including endorsing Hamas after the 2023 terrorist attacks against Israel and claiming Israelis orchestrated 9/11. The mosque is also suspected of being a financial backer of the Iranian revolutionary government, having received over $190,000 from the Iranian-run Alavi Foundation in the mid-2000s.

  • Khamenei was killed over the weekend following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes against Tehran.
  • The remembrance service for Khamenei was held on Sunday evening.

The players

Manassas Mosque

A Shia Muslim religious center in Northern Virginia with alleged financial ties to the Iranian regime.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The supreme leader of Iran who was killed over the weekend.

Abolfazl Nahidian

The imam of the Manassas Mosque who has a history of incendiary behavior, including endorsing Hamas and claiming Israelis orchestrated 9/11.

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What they’re saying

“All the plots and the schemes that they make are to destroy humanity.”

— Abolfazl Nahidian, Imam, Manassas Mosque (2010 Quds Day rally)

What’s next

The U.S. government may investigate further the Manassas Mosque's alleged financial ties to the Iranian regime and its history of incendiary behavior.

The takeaway

The Manassas Mosque's actions highlight the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the potential for Iranian ideological influence over Muslim American religious institutions. This case underscores the need for continued vigilance and monitoring of organizations with suspected connections to the Iranian regime.