Iraq host funeral processions for Khamenei

Iraq is hosting funeral processions for Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with ceremonies planned in the holy Shia cities of Najaf and Karbala. These events are a significant part of Iran's six-day public mourning period, dedicated partly to neighboring Iraq, a nation with deep religious and political ties to Tehran.

Iraqi authorities have declared a public holiday to accommodate the large-scale ceremonies. Banners welcoming Khamenei and displaying his image alongside Iranian flags and photos of other resistance figures adorn the streets of Najaf and Karbala. One banner in Karbala proclaimed, "The one who humiliated America."

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an opportunity not to be missed to participate in the funeral of the person who challenged the power of America and Israel

Khamenei's body arrived in Najaf, where Iraqi officials and senior politicians, including Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, received the remains. Mourners are expected to participate in a large procession ending at the shrine of Imam Ali. The late leader's final burial is scheduled for Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad, Iran.

The shared Shia heritage between Iran and Iraq shapes the deep spiritual and political bond between the two nations. For many Iraqis, like 30-year-old Mohammed al-Bayati who traveled to Najaf, participating in the funeral is seen as an opportunity to honor a leader who "challenged the power of America and Israel."

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The one who humiliated America