In the U.S., and in most other "western" countries, we treat our dead leaders with utmost respect (i.e. Reagan’s funeral). Perhaps it is a simple cultural issue, but for the life of me, I can’t understand this:

Yes – that’s Chairman Arafat, post stage dive, being carried through the mosh pit. This looks just like the few Iranian funerals I’ve seen in pictures and on TV (specifically, Ayatollah Khomeini) where the distraught crowds have actually busted up the pine box containing the corpse. It’s all a little creepy in my view.

More scary details from the BEEB.