In Australia, memorials and prayer sessions have been organized to commemorate the death of Iran's former leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US and Israeli air strikes. This has sparked significant controversy, especially in Sydney and Melbourne, where various Shiite mosques and Islamic institutions are leading these commemorative events. Prominent prayer gatherings have taken place, with communities expressing their sorrow over Khamenei's death and reflecting on his leadership since 1989.

The response to these memorials has been overwhelmingly critical. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns publicly condemned the commemorations, labeling them as 'deeply insulting' to many, particularly given Khamenei's controversial governance in Iran. Activists within the Iranian Australian community, alongside anti-regime groups, have also voiced their objections, arguing that such memorials glorify a leader who ruled with an oppressive hand and have led to significant human rights abuses.

The public outcry raises important questions about the role of diaspora communities in commemorating figures associated with contentious regimes. The backlash illustrates the tension between cultural expression and the reactions it can provoke within broader Australian society, highlighting the ongoing struggles related to identity, governance, and international relations, especially concerning Iran's fraught political landscape.