Karbala prepares for a historic million-strong farewell to Iran’s martyred Leader

Pars Today – The Endowments and Religious Affairs Committee of Iraq’s Karbala Province has announced that the funeral procession for the martyred Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, will begin at 4:00 p.m. local time on Wednesday.

According to Pars Today, Mohammad al-Masoudi, head of the Karbala Provincial Endowments and Religious Affairs Committee, told Shafaq News that the funeral procession would begin at 4:00 p.m. local time.

He said the procession would set off from Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis Street, pass through Al-Jumhuriya Street, and continue toward the holy shrines.

Al-Masoudi added that all security, logistical, and service preparations had been completed through coordination with local authorities, security agencies, the administrations of the holy shrines, and Husseini mawkibs (religious service processions). He said the security plan was fully prepared to ensure a safe and orderly route for the expected large crowds of mourners.

Al-Masoudi said that tribal delegations from across Iraq, alongside international and Arab delegations as well as political, religious, and social figures, are expected to attend the ceremony in large numbers. Given the massive influx of mourners and pilgrims, he predicted that the farewell ceremony would become a remarkable display of millions of participants.

He added that coordination had been carried out between the Karbala provincial government and other Iraqi provinces to facilitate the movement of mourners. At the same time, Husseini mawkibs (religious service processions) and the administrations of the holy shrines have implemented special service plans and completed the necessary preparations to help participants cope with the extreme heat and provide essential services to visitors.

Al-Masoudi stressed that no traffic or movement restrictions would be imposed in Karbala during the ceremony and that all roads and access routes would remain open to pilgrims and mourners. He also noted that, since the previous night, Karbala had witnessed the arrival of vast crowds, with the city already experiencing a high concentration of participants.