Iranians chant ‘Death to Israel & America!’ on Al-Quds Day as Rouhani joins rally

TEHRAN - Iran is hosting anti-Israel rallies across the country, with demonstrators taking to the streets to shout slogans against the Jewish state and to condemn the occupation of Palestinian land. The protests are part of the annual Quds Day holiday.

Quds Day, also known as Al-Quds Day, as a historic Arabic name for Jerusalem, is aimed at protesting Israel and Zionism, and to express support for Palestinians and the importance of Jerusalem for the religion of Islam.

State media reported that "millions" took to the streets in Tehran and other Iranian cities on Friday, shouting "Death to Israel."

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"Death to the House of Saud and Daesh (IS)," the protesters chanted, along with "Death to America" and "Death to the UK."

Protesters could also be seen burning the IS flag, after the terrorist group claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in the country's capital earlier this month.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have pointed the finger at arch rival Saudi Arabia for the attack, though Riyadh has denied playing any role.

Many protesters on Friday carried photos of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who also founded Quds Day. Others were carrying photos of his successor, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani joined the march through Tehran.

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Quds Day, founded by Khomeini in 1979, is held each year on the last Friday of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. The holiday has since been adopted by Muslims in other countries across the globe.