Millions of Iraqis join Ayatollah Khamenei funeral in Najaf

The funeral procession of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution, began from al-Kufa Bridge in Najaf, Iraq, with millions of mourners moving toward the shrine of Imam Ali (a.s.), one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam. Iraqi officials and volunteers, experienced in organizing mass pilgrimages, prepared for the ceremonies that will also take place in Karbala. Video footage showed vast crowds participating in the procession.

The funeral rites moved to Iraq after several days of commemoration in Iran, where millions of mourners took part in ceremonies in Tehran and Qom. Ayatollah Khamenei was assassinated in the February 28 U.S.-Israeli attack alongside family members and senior officials. Iraqi officials had been coordinating with Tehran on the funeral arrangements, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visiting Baghdad last month for that purpose.

According to Mehr News, the procession marked a significant display of solidarity and mourning among Shia communities in Iraq and Iran. The event underscored the deep religious and political ties between the two countries, as well as the widespread reverence for Ayatollah Khamenei among Shia Muslims worldwide.