Iraq to Hold 3-Stage Funeral in Najaf and Karbala

Najaf and Karbala to Host Three-Stage Funeral for Martyred Leader Ayatollah Khamenei

WebDesk

07 July, 2026 12:31

Najaf and Karbala to Host Three-Stage Funeral for Martyred Leader Ayatollah Khamenei

Iraqi authorities have finalized preparations for a three-stage funeral for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, with official ceremonies in Najaf followed by public processions across the holy city and Karbala, where massive crowds are expected under extensive security and logistical arrangements.

Iraqi officials expect the funeral processions for Ayatollah Khamenei, who was martyred on February 28, the first day of the US-Israeli unprovoked war of aggression against Iran, to draw one of the largest public gatherings in Iraq in recent years.

Nassif Jassim al-Khattabi, governor of Karbala and chairman of the province’s higher security committee, described the funeral as a major event, saying, “This event will certainly be significant and will have considerable dimensions and implications.”

He predicted that Karbala would receive an exceptionally large number of mourners, saying many people from across the Arab country were eager to travel to the holy city to attend the funeral.

“The funeral will be held in three stages: an official state ceremony on Tuesday evening, followed by another funeral procession on Wednesday morning in Najaf, and a funeral ceremony at 4:00 p.m. local time in Karbala,” al-Khattabi noted.

The governor also said that Wednesday would be declared a local public holiday in Karbala to facilitate the full conduct of the grand funeral for the martyred Leader and to enable residents to host visitors, provide services and participate in the ceremonies.

Meanwhile, an informed Iraqi official told the media that Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi would receive the body of the martyred leader at Najaf International Airport on Tuesday.

The official said the reception ceremony for the “Leader of the Ummah” would be attended by Iraqi officials at the airport.

Earlier, Iraq’s committee overseeing the funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei announced that all preparations, logistical arrangements and coordination for the official reception of the “Martyred Leader” in Najaf and the public funeral procession in Karbala had been completed.

“The official reception ceremony for the Leader of the Islamic Ummah will be held on Tuesday at Najaf International Airport by Iraqi officials in the presence of a high-level delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Major General Saad Maan, the spokesman for the committee.

“The public funeral procession in Karbala will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday,” he further said.

Referring to security preparations, the spokesman for the Iraqi committee organizing the funeral added that “continuous meetings are being held to oversee the implementation of the security plans, with the participation of all security units and the Army Air Force.”

General Maan also stressed that, under security regulations, all aircraft, including quadcopters and drones, would be prohibited from flying over the ceremony unless officially authorized.

According to the committee’s media office, the funeral route in Najaf will span approximately six kilometers from Mojsarat al-Sadrain to the Shrine of Imam Ali (AS) — the first Shia Imam — while the procession route in Karbala will cover about 5.8 kilometers.

“More than 3,000 journalists from Iraqi, Arab and international media outlets will cover the event. In addition, 2,500 cameras and 23 live broadcast centers will transmit every aspect of this historic ceremony in real time,” General Maan said.

He added that extensive welfare and medical services had also been arranged.

“A total of 351 service stations (mawakib) have been organized in Najaf and more than 400 ones in Karbala to serve mourners and participants,” General Maan noted.

He further said that as part of the health plan for the ceremonies, 150 ambulances will also be deployed along the funeral routes in Najaf and Karbala.