Massive Turnout in Najaf and Karbala
Millions of mourners gathered in the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala on Wednesday to participate in the funeral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. According to reports from Iranian and Iraqi media, the event saw unprecedented attendance, with local authorities in Karbala estimating the crowd size at approximately 7 million people.
The funeral proceedings commenced at 6:00 a.m. local time in Najaf, following prayers held at the shrine of Imam Ali (AS). The procession moved through the city before the body was transported to Karbala for further rites at the shrines of Imam Hussein (AS) and Abbas (AS). Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) reported that over 2.3 million people participated in the Najaf segment of the procession alone.
Official Recognition and Security
To facilitate the ceremonies, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi declared Wednesday a public holiday across the country. High-ranking officials, including former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, attended the events to pay their respects. Al-Maliki characterized the participation as a “duty” to honor a leader who he claimed shaped a significant future for the region.
Security forces and local organizers managed the massive influx of mourners, who arrived from various Iraqi provinces, including Basra, Muthanna, and Maysan. Despite the scale of the crowds, which caused significant traffic congestion, the events proceeded through the designated routes in both cities. The ceremonies underscore the deep political and religious ties between the two nations, as Iraq continues to serve as a hub for major regional commemorations.