TEHRAN:The mortal remains of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, were transferred to the holy city of Qom today morning as the country's state funeral ceremonies continued. The funeral rites began on July 4, and Khamenei is scheduled to be laid to rest on July 9 in his birthplace, Mashhad. On July 8, his body will be taken to Iraq, where special memorial ceremonies are scheduled to be held in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.

 

According to reports by IRNA, Al Jazeera and Tehran Times, Qom Governor-General Akbar Behnamjou confirmed that Khamenei's body had arrived in the city. He said funeral prayers were offered at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the Jamkaran Mosque, drawing a large number of mourners.

 

Behnamjou said Qom Province is fully prepared to host the funeral procession of the late leader and his family. He added that the procession will move from Prophet Azam Boulevard to the Holy Shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh, one of Shiite Islam's most revered pilgrimage sites.

 

Iran's state funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Khamenei began on July 4. He is scheduled to be buried on July 9 at the Imam Reza Shrine in the holy city of Mashhad. Following his burial, Iran will observe 40 days of public mourning.

 

On the first day of the ceremonies, the coffins of Khamenei and members of his family were placed at Tehran's Grand Mosalla Mosque to allow the public to pay their final respects. On July 5, leaders and dignitaries from around the world attended a memorial prayer service. A massive funeral procession was held in Tehran on July 6, attracting large crowds of mourners.

 

The final funeral procession will reach Mashhad on July 9, where Khamenei will be buried with full state honours.

 

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several members of his family were killed in the February 28 United States-Israel attack. Grand Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani led the funeral prayers on Monday. Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader's son and widely viewed as his successor, has not yet appeared publicly during any of the funeral ceremonies.

 

Built in 984 CE, the Jamkaran Mosque, also known as the Sahib al-Zaman Mosque, is located on the outskirts of Qom and is one of the most significant Shiite pilgrimage sites. The mosque is dedicated to the Twelfth Imam, Imam Mahdi. Devotees traditionally gather there on Tuesday nights to offer prayers and seek blessings. During significant national events, major crises or periods of conflict, a red flag symbolising vengeance or justice is raised atop the mosque's dome.