Millions gather in Qom to honor Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Millions gather in Qom to honor Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Millions of mourners gathered in the holy city of Qom to pay their final respects to Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and four members of his family during a funeral ceremony that drew people from across the country.

According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the funeral prayer took place at the Jamkaran Mosque on the outskirts of Qom, one of the country’s most significant religious sites. Large crowds filled the mosque and surrounding areas as they offered prayers and honored Khamenei’s legacy.

Videos shared on social media showed thousands of mourners carrying flags, chanting religious slogans, and expressing their grief during the ceremony. The massive turnout reflected the importance of the occasion for many Iranians, while senior government officials, religious leaders, and foreign delegations also attended to pay their respects.

Following the funeral prayer, officials announced that Khamenei’s body would travel to Iraq for additional religious rites before returning to Iran. Authorities plan to hold the final burial ceremony in the holy city of Mashhad on Thursday.

Funeral events and memorial gatherings have continued in several Iranian cities over the past few days, allowing citizens to take part in commemorations before the final burial. The ceremonies have drawn widespread public participation and have become one of the largest national mourning events in recent years.