The farewell ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ali Khamenei, and his family commenced today in the Islamic Republic of Iran, set to last for a full week.
Official delegations have flocked to Tehran's prayer hall to bid their final farewell to the bodies and recite Al-Fatiha, with Lebanese delegations at the forefront. Among them was a delegation from the Higher Islamic Shiite Council led by Sheikh Ali Khatib, alongside representatives from the Amal Movement, Hezbollah, Islamic associations, and a host of media outlets.
The public will be allowed to pay their respects and recite Al-Fatiha on Saturday and Sunday, with the burial processions taking place in Tehran on Monday, followed by Qom on Tuesday. The bodies will then be transported to Iraq for ceremonies in Kadhimiya, Karbala, and Najaf, with the burial set in the holy city of Mashhad on Thursday, the 9th of the month.
Sheikh Khatib and his accompanying delegation arrived in Tehran via Baghdad, where they were welcomed at Imam Khomeini Airport by Lebanese Ambassador to Iran, Ahmad Sweid, and an Iranian Foreign Ministry official.
In Baghdad, Sheikh Khatib and the Shiite Council delegation were received by Lebanese Ambassador to Iraq, Khalil Mohammed, and General Consul Ali Hmawani. Discussions were held on the affairs of both Lebanon and Iraq.
Sheikh Khatib commented to several Iranian media outlets on the late martyr's role in rebuilding Iran after Imam Khomeini, highlighting his accomplishments in confronting the formidable forces of the U.S. and Israel.
He expressed hope for Iran to continue its pioneering path under the leadership of Supreme Leader Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei, wishing the Iranian people continued progress and prosperity.