NAJAF, July 8 (Alliance News): Thousands of mourners gathered in Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday as funeral processions were held for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with Iraqi authorities declaring a public holiday and deploying heavy security amid large crowds.
The ceremonies formed part of Iran’s six-day public mourning programme, with Wednesday dedicated to processions in Iraq before Khamenei’s burial in his hometown of Mashhad on Thursday.
Khamenei’s coffin arrived at Najaf International Airport on Tuesday evening, where it was received by senior Iraqi officials, religious leaders and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian before the procession began towards the shrine of Imam Ali (AS). Following prayers, the coffin was transported to Karbala for another funeral procession at the shrines of Imam Hussain (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (RA).
Large crowds lined the procession routes, with mourners carrying Iranian and Iraqi flags, portraits of Khamenei and banners praising his leadership. Volunteers distributed food and water, while security forces maintained a heavy presence to manage the crowds.
The funeral ceremonies took place amid renewed regional tensions following the latest escalation between Iran and the United States in the Strait of Hormuz, adding further geopolitical significance to the cross-border mourning events.
Iraqi mourner Mohammed al-Bayati described the procession as “an opportunity not to be missed,” saying he travelled for hours to pay tribute to Khamenei. Another participant, Haidar Jaafar, said he expected millions of people to join the ceremonies in Iraq and Iran.
After the ceremonies in Karbala, Khamenei’s body will be flown back to Iran, where final burial rites are scheduled to take place on Thursday in Mashhad.
