Millions Gather in Najaf For Imam Khamenei Funeral Rites

By Staff, Agencies

More than 2.3 million mourners poured into Najaf on Wednesday, filling the holy city for farewell ceremonies honoring Iran’s martyred Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei after his martyrdom in a US-"Israeli" aggression on Iran.

The procession, described by officials as one of the largest in modern regional history, transformed the streets of this sacred city into a canvas of grief, defiance, and political solidarity.

The body of the late leader arrived in Najaf on Tuesday evening aboard a flight accompanied by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Upon landing, the casket was received by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi, alongside a host of Iraqi political, diplomatic, and foreign dignitaries.

In a solemn overnight transfer, the coffin was moved to the shrine of Imam Ali [AS], the holiest site in Najaf, where official and popular ceremonies commenced at dawn.

Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces [PMF] confirmed attendance surpassed 2.3 million, as mourners flooded Najaf in black, chanting and accompanying the casket through packed streets.

For many mourners, the journey to Najaf represented an act of devotion, with attendees describing the farewell as a message of defiance to Washington and "Israel".

Haider Jaafar from Basra said the funeral united Iraqis across political differences, describing Sayyed Khamenei’s martyrdom as strengthening support for Iran as a strategic depth against the "Israeli" occupation.

Iraqi security forces and organizing committees coordinated efforts to manage the massive crowds, ensuring an orderly farewell ceremony despite the congestion, according to INA.

Analysts described the massive turnout in Najaf as a reflection of deep Iran-Iraq ties, with the farewell ceremonies continuing in Karbala before the final burial in Mashhad.