Millions of mourners expected to flood the streets of Tehran as heads of state, foreign dignitaries and high-ranking delegations from across the globe arrived to honour the assassinated Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a historic ceremony unfolded at Tehran’s Grand Mosalla on Friday, heads of the three branches of the Iranian government along with presidents, parliamentary speakers, special envoys, scholars, religious intellectuals, and thinkers from diverse backgrounds from across the globe paid their respects to the late Ayatollah Khamenei.
Iranian officials and their families, representatives of religious minorities, families of martyrs of the resistance front and Arab tribal leaders also joined the solemn tribute.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Eje’i and Chairman of Expediency Council Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani were present in the ceremonies.
The presence of dignitaries from different world countries underscored how important Iran is considered among nations outside of the Western bubble. Prominent figures from Iraq, Turkiye, Pakistan and even Saudi Arabia made an appearance at the ceremony.
Baghaei said official delegations, public figures and members of parliament from Eastern European countries would attend the farewell ceremony. However, he said countries in Europe that had officially supported the military aggression by Israel and the United States against Iran had not been invited to attend the ceremony.
The tribute ceremony marked one of the largest international gatherings in Iran since the martyrdom of the Leader, reflecting the deep respect and admiration he commanded across political, religious, and cultural spheres.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
The multi-day funeral is expected to draw between 15 and 20 million mourners, according to Iranian officials.
Ceremonies will continue on Saturday and Sunday with the body lying in state at the Grand Mosalla before a funeral procession through Tehran on Monday. Further rites are scheduled in the holy city of Qom, followed by ceremonies in Baghdad, Karbala and Najaf in Iraq, before burial in Mashhad on July 9.
The gates of the Mosalla are expected to be opened to the public at 6 AM on Saturday. However, organisers said there is a possibility of earlier opening depending on the circumstances.
