TEHRAN:Iran's capital Tehran witnessed massive crowds on Monday as the country bid its final farewell to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. As part of the six-day state funeral ceremonies that began on Friday, millions of mourners poured onto the streets to participate in the funeral procession. The approximately 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) procession commenced from Imam Hussein Square in eastern Tehran and will conclude at Azadi Square in the western part of the city. Tribute ceremonies for the late leader are also scheduled to be held in the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.

 

Given the enormous turnout and extensive security arrangements, officials estimate that the procession, which began in the morning, will take approximately 10 to 12 hours to reach its destination. Under normal conditions, the journey from Imam Hussein Square to Azadi Square takes only 12 to 45 minutes by road. Following the Tehran procession, Khamenei's remains will be taken to the holy city of Qom, followed by tribute ceremonies at the Shiite holy sites in Iraq, before being transported to his birthplace, Mashhad, for final burial. Iranian authorities estimate that millions of people are participating in the funeral procession. Many mourners have been seen carrying red and white flags bearing the Persian inscription "Ya Hussein," a symbol in Shiite tradition representing martyrdom and the pursuit of justice.

 

According to Iran's official news agency IRNA, Tehran Times, Al Jazeera and CNN, the inscription "Ya Hussein" commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein in the seventh century. Brigadier General Hassan Hassanzadeh, head of the organising committee for the funeral ceremonies of Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, said the procession is expected to continue for 10 to 12 hours due to the unprecedented number of mourners.

 

Hassanzadeh thanked the people who had gathered in eastern Tehran to pay their respects, noting that the vehicle carrying the coffin was moving at an extremely slow pace because of the dense crowds. He said the funeral procession began with members of Khamenei's family. Further funeral ceremonies are scheduled to take place in Qom on Tuesday, in Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday, and in Mashhad on Thursday, where the late leader will be laid to rest.

 

President Masoud Pezeshkian said the late leader had taught the nation that its greatest strength lay in its people and their unity, adding that the enormous turnout at the funeral procession reflected that message. Earlier on Sunday, thousands of mourners from Iran and abroad attended the funeral prayer at Imam Khomeini Mosalla in Tehran. As the crowds swelled, authorities closed all entrances to the vast prayer complex. One of Iran's senior-most religious scholars, Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, led the funeral prayers. Prayers were first offered for the late leader, followed by prayers for four members of Khamenei's family who were killed in the reported United States-Israel joint strike against Iran on February 28.

 

Those killed included Khamenei's son-in-law Dr. Mesbah al-Hoda Bagheri Kani, his eldest daughter Seyyedeh Boshra Hosseini Khamenei, his 14-month-old granddaughter Zahra Mohammadi Golpayegani, and his daughter-in-law Zahra Haddad Adel, the wife of Mojtaba Khamenei, who is widely regarded as a key figure in Iran's leadership. Senior Iranian military commanders and political leaders also attended the prayers alongside members of the late leader's family. Khamenei's sons Masoud, Meysam and Mostafa were present, while his reported successor Mojtaba Khamenei did not appear publicly.

 

Born in Mashhad in 1939, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei became a Shiite cleric at a young age and was actively involved in political activism before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He played a significant role in organising protests against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and was imprisoned multiple times for his activities. In 1981, he survived an assassination attempt that left his right arm permanently paralysed. Shortly afterwards, he was elected President of Iran. A close associate and disciple of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the Islamic Revolution, Khamenei succeeded him as Iran's Supreme Leader in 1989 following Khomeini's death.

 

Meanwhile, Sayyed Ammar al-Hakim, leader of Iraq's National Wisdom Movement, announced that tribute ceremonies for the late Ayatollah Khamenei would be organised in Iraq. He said the events would honour him not merely as the leader of Iran but as one of the most influential religious authorities in the Muslim world. Al-Hakim added that preparations were underway for commemorative gatherings in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday.