Millions Join Massive Funeral Procession
Qom Enveloped in Grieving Farewell for Leader of the Ummah
The historic funeral and mass farewell procession for Grand Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, commenced in the holy city of Qom on Tuesday, July 7 (16 Tir). A massive ocean of devoted and revolutionary mourners gathered to pay their respects to the late Leader and his family members.
The solemn ceremonies began at the Jamkaran Mosque, where lines of weeping mourners had gathered since the previous evening to hold vigils. The funeral prayers (Salat al-Janazah) for the martyred Leader and his fellow family martyrs were formally led by Grand Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli. The momentous prayer service was attended by senior provincial administrators, prominent Islamic scholars, theologians, and a vast cross-section of the public.
Following the conclusion of the prayers, the official funeral procession advanced along the pre-designated 7-kilometer metropolitan passage, moving through the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Boulevard toward the Holy Shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh (SA).
An Ocean of Mourners and Universal Slogans
A dense sea of thousands filled the thoroughfare, dominated by the three-color national flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran alongside distinct red banners bearing the slogan "Ya Latharat al-Hussein" (O Avengers of Hussein) and flags dedicated to the Imam of the Age.
The entire route echoed with rhythmic, mass chants of "Labaik ya Mahdi," "Abba al-Fadl is the standard-bearer, God protect Khamenei," "Labaik ya Hussein," and "Hussein Hussein is our slogan, martyrdom is our honor."
To manage logistics and support the millions walking under the intense summer heat, metropolitan services deployed extensive misting lines and water-spraying machinery along the entire length of the Prophet Muhammad Boulevard to cool the crowds.
A Global Gathering of Pilgrims
The congregation in Qom drew a notable international presence, with large groups of foreign nationals, scholars, and international seminary students from diverse global origins participating alongside their families.
Delegations from countries such as Nigeria, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan were highly visible in the crowd, carrying their respective national flags. Their massive presence signaled a unified geopolitical message, reinforcing a shared and unyielding cross-border allegiance to the revolutionary path forged by the late Leader.
Following the conclusion of the procession in Qom, the holy caskets are scheduled to be transferred to Iraq for further ceremonies in the sacred cities of Najaf and Karbala, before returning to Iran for final burial in Mashhad.