Thousands of mourners gathered in Iraq’s holy city of Karbala on Wednesday as the funeral procession of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khame…
1/10Funeral procession reaches Karbala: Thousands of mourners gathered in Karbala on Wednesday, July 8, as the funeral procession of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reached the holy city after passing through Najaf. The ceremonies are part of a six-day funeral being held in Iran and Iraq. (Image: Reuters)
2/10Procession earlier passed through Najaf: According to Reuters, Khamenei’s coffin was carried on a large truck through the streets of Najaf as crowds followed the procession. Many mourners carried large portraits of the late leader, while Iraqi and Iranian flags lined the route. (Image: AP)
3/10Najaf and Karbala hold deep religious importance: Najaf and Karbala are among the holiest cities for Shiite Muslims. Najaf is home to the Shrine of Imam Ali, while Karbala is where Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was killed in 680 AD. Both cities attract millions of pilgrims every year. (Image: AP)
4/10Funeral prayers were held in Najaf: AP reported that senior scholar Muhammad Taqi al-Hakim led funeral prayers at the Shrine of Imam Ali in Najaf. Large crowds gathered around the glass-covered casket, with many trying to move closer as it was carried into the shrine. (Image: AP)
5/10Mourners paid tribute during the procession: Many mourners waved Iranian, Iraqi, red and black flags during the funeral procession. According to AP, some supporters also performed self-flagellation, a mourning ritual observed by some Shiite Muslims during major religious occasions. (Image: AP)
6/10Iranian leaders joined the ceremonies: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were among the senior officials accompanying the funeral procession. Reuters also reported that commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps took part in the ceremonies. (Image: Reuters)
7/10Karbala hosts the next stage of the funeral: After the ceremonies in Najaf, Khamenei’s coffin was taken to Karbala for the next stage of the funeral. AP reported that prayers in the city were expected to be led by Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalaei, a representative of Iraq’s top Shiite religious authority. (Image: AP)
8/10Khamenei was killed in February: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in late February during large-scale US and Israeli strikes on Iran. According to AP, he was among several senior Iranian leaders killed during the conflict. He was 86. (Image: Reuters)
9/10Regional tensions remain high: The funeral comes as tensions continue across the Middle East. AP reported that talks between the United States and Iran remain on hold until after Khamenei’s burial, while recent military exchanges in the Persian Gulf have raised concerns over the stability of the ceasefire. (Image: Reuters)
10/10Body to return to Iran for burial: According to Reuters, after the ceremonies in Karbala, Khamenei’s coffin will return to Iran, where the funeral will conclude with his final burial. (Image: AP)
