According to Tasnim news agency, the senior Iranian cleric passed away at the age of 80. He has been admitted to the hospital since a couple of days ago due to respiratory problems.

Three days of public mourning have been declared in the Province of Khorassan Razavi for the late cleric. The whole schools and state organizations in Mashhad, the provincial capital, will be closed on Saturday.

The funeral procession of Ayatollah Vaez Tabasi will be held on Saturday morning at the holy shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH).

Born in the holy city of Mashhad in 1935, Ayatollah Vaez Tabasi began to get religious schooling in different seminaries at 12 years of age.

Soon after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, late founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini (God bless his soul) appointed Ayatollah Vaez Tabasi as the Chief Custodian and Trustee of the Astan Quds Razavi.

The late cleric’s first plan after taking control of the trusteeship of Astan Quds Razavi was to conduct a thorough review of the whole endowment and religious offerings belonging to the organization with all details.

Astan Quds Razavi is a charitable foundation in Mashhad that administers the holy shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH) and the endowments bestowed on the trusteeship.