Najaf mourns martyred Leader of Islamic Revolution; Large crowds attend funeral ceremony + Photos

Pars Today – The large turnout of Iraqis at the funeral procession for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Najaf once again reflected the deep ties between the peoples of Iran and Iraq. The ceremony was attended by vast numbers of mourners, along with political and religious figures, under extensive security and logistical arrangements.

According to Pars Today, citing IRNA, the funeral ceremony was held on Wednesday morning in the holy city of Najaf, with the participation of large crowds of Iraqis, pilgrims, political and religious figures, and mourners from various provinces across Iraq.

After the body is transferred to Karbala, Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbalaei, the representative of Iraq's Supreme Religious Authority, is scheduled to lead the funeral prayers at the Imam Husain Shrine.

According to the announced schedule, following the conclusion of the ceremony in Najaf, the body of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution will be transported in an official convoy to Karbala, where the funeral procession will continue from the Sayyidat Jawda Intersection along Al-Muhafadha Street toward the Imam Husain Shrine and the Al-Abbas Shrine.

The body of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution and several members of his family arrived at Najaf International Airport on Tuesday evening, where they were officially received by senior officials from Iran and Iraq. Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and a number of senior Iranian officials had arrived in Najaf to attend the funeral ceremony.

The official reception ceremony for the martyred Leader's body was attended by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi, President Masoud Pezeshkian, members of his accompanying delegation, and a number of Iraqi political, religious, and tribal figures, as well as representatives of various segments of Iraqi society.

Also in attendance were leaders of Iraq's Coordination Framework, including Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition; Hadi al-Amiri; Qais al-Khazali; Ammar al-Hakim; Mohammed al-Halbousi; and a number of other Iraqi political leaders and prominent figures.

Meanwhile, Saad Maan, head of Iraq's Security Media Cell, announced that all Iraqi security and public service agencies were working in full coordination to ensure the security and orderly conduct of the funeral ceremonies.

According to Maan, the cities of Najaf and Karbala have seen the implementation of the country's most extensive security and logistical measures, including traffic management, the establishment of hospitality mawkibs, and the provision of water, food, medical services, and first aid for pilgrims.

Reports also indicate that all roads leading to the holy city of Najaf have experienced heavy traffic since the early hours of Wednesday, as millions of Iraqis from across the country, along with foreign pilgrims, traveled to attend the funeral procession. The large turnout was described as reflecting the broad public nature of the ceremony and the solidarity of the Iraqi people with the people of Iran in mourning the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution.