The body of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei arrived at Najaf International Airport in Iraq on Tuesday night, Iraqi state media reported. The arrival came ahead of funeral processions in the country's holy cities, home to the shrines most revered by Shia Muslims.
Why is Khamenei's body being taken to Iraq?
Khamenei's body is passing through Iraq as part of six days of public funeral ceremonies that began in Iran on Saturday. Iran dedicated one day of mourning to neighboring Iraq, a Shia powerhouse with close ties to Tehran. Iraqi cities Najaf and Karbala host shrines central to Shia Islam, making them key stops before his burial.
Is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei buried?
Khamenei has not yet been buried. He was killed on the first day of the Middle East war in U.S.-Israeli strikes and will be buried on Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad in northeast Iran. Before burial, his body is being taken through Iraq's holy cities for public mourning processions.
Who received Khamenei's body in Iraq?
Iraqi state TV broadcast the arrival of the Mahan Air flight carrying Khamenei's coffin to Najaf airport, where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had arrived shortly before. Iraqi officials and senior politicians, including Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, were present to receive the remains. Iranian commander Esmail Qaani, who heads the Quds Force, the foreign operations branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, also attended. Red carpets stretched across the airport terminal, with large posters displaying Islamic calligraphy and a portrait of Khamenei.
What happens during the Najaf and Karbala processions?
Iraq declared Wednesday a public holiday, with processions set to begin at 6:00 am (0300 GMT) in Najaf. Mourners started arriving at least a day in advance for a six-kilometer procession culminating at the shrine of Imam Ali (AS), the Prophet Mohammed's (PBUH) son-in-law and cousin and the first Shia Imam. Najaf's main streets have been draped with welcoming banners and large portraits of the late leader.
Mohammed al-Bayati, 30, who travelled for hours to reach Najaf, told AFP this was an opportunity that could not be missed. He said he came to attend the funeral of the figure who challenged the power of America and Israel. After Najaf, Khamenei's body will be flown to Karbala, around 60 kilometers north, for another procession ending at the shrines of Imam Hussein (AS) and his brother Abbas.
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