Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has praised Iraq for the massive funeral ceremonies held in the country for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, saying they reflect the strong ties between the two brotherly countries.
“The epic funeral procession of the sacred body of the martyred Imam in Najaf and Karbala stands as a shining symbol of brotherhood and the deep cultural and religious commonalities between the two nations of Iran and Iraq,” Aref said.
“From the bottom of my heart, I extend my gratitude to the distinguished religious authorities, scholars, noble tribes, popular groups and organizations, and the respected Iraqi government for this magnificent hospitality. This sacred bond is unbreakable,” he added.
Millions of mourners have gathered in Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala for the funeral ceremonies of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The official funeral procession began at 6 am local time Wednesday in Najaf after funeral prayers were held over Ayatollah Khamenei’s body at the shrine of Imam Ali (AS).
The procession moved from the shrine through Kufa Bridge and the Thawrat al-Ashreen intersection toward al-Sadreen Square before the body continued to Karbala.
Hashd al-Shaabi, Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, said more than four million people had taken part in the funeral procession in Najaf and that the number was continuing to increase as mourners arrived from across Iraq.
Separately, al-Mayadeen television, citing the Karbala governorate, reported that authorities had registered 7 million mourners in Karbala.
The multi-day funeral began on Friday with Ayatollah Khamenei’s body lying in state at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Mosalla and foreign dignitaries and religious figures paying their respects. It continued on Saturday and Sunday with a public farewell and prayers, respectively.
On Monday, millions packed the streets of Tehran as the funeral convoy made its way through the Iranian capital.
Millions of mourners gathered at the Holy Jamkaran Mosque in Qom on Tuesday to offer funeral prayers for the martyred Leader.
The final funeral rites are set to take place on Thursday in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, where Ayatollah Khamenei will be buried at the shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam, in accordance with the martyred Leader’s will.
Ayatollah Khamenei was assassinated, alongside some of his family members, on February 28, the first day of the 40-day war of aggression waged by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran.
The Assembly of Experts subsequently appointed Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Leader of the Islamic Revolution.
