https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
MASHHAD, Jul 10 (Alliance News): Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was laid to rest in the holy city of Mashhad on Friday following funeral ceremonies attended by millions of mourners across Iran and Iraq.
According to Iranian media, the funeral prayer in Mashhad was led by his eldest son, Mostafa Khamenei. Other members of the Khamenei family were present in the front row, while the current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, did not attend the funeral prayer.
Iranian state television had earlier announced that Grand Ayatollah Hossein Noori Hamedani would lead the funeral prayer. However, no official explanation was given for his absence.
Following the funeral prayer, mourners bid a final farewell to the late Supreme Leader as his body was buried with full state honours.
Thousands of grieving supporters filled the streets of Mashhad, chanting religious slogans and expressing their sorrow during the burial ceremony.
Iranian media reported that six days of funeral and mourning ceremonies were held in Tehran, Qom, Najaf, Karbala and Mashhad, with an estimated 43 million people participating.
The Iranian News Agency said a condolence gathering for the late Ayatollah Khamenei will be held today at the Shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh in Qom after Maghrib and Isha prayers.
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is expected to attend the ceremony.
Earlier, the body of Ayatollah Khamenei was transported from Najaf to Mashhad aboard a special aircraft escorted by Iranian Air Force fighter jets.
Before being taken to Iran, the body was also brought to the shrines of Imam Hussain (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (AS) in Karbala, where funeral prayers were offered.
According to the Governor’s Office, more than seven million mourners attended the funeral procession in Karbala.
