Arabic version: إيران تقيم جنازة تاريخية للزعيم الأعلى الراحل علي خامنئي

Hundreds of thousands of mourners have gathered in Tehran for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the late Supreme Leader of Iran, following his death in a US-Israeli attack at the outset of the war on Iran in February. The ceremonies are expected to attract over 10 million attendees from across the nation and beyond, marking a significant moment in the country’s history.

According to Al Jazeera, the memorial events began at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque, where mourners dressed in black carried flags and portraits of Khamenei. The funeral procession is part of a six-day program that will conclude with his burial in Mashhad, following ceremonies in Qom and Iraq.

In an effort to accommodate the influx of mourners, Iranian authorities have opened more than 5,000 schools and classrooms as makeshift rest areas. The ceremonies also highlight the importance of Khamenei as a spiritual leader for the Shia community worldwide.

Delegations from over 100 countries attended ceremonies for foreign dignitaries, emphasizing the international implications of Khamenei’s passing. The timing of the funeral, coinciding with the first 10 days of Muharram and the US Independence Day, is seen as symbolically significant, connecting Khamenei’s legacy to themes of martyrdom and resistance.

As the nation mourns, the crowds chant slogans and recite Quranic verses, reflecting a deep sense of loss. Despite his death, Khamenei’s son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is expected to continue his father’s policies, maintaining Iran’s confrontational stance in the region.