After Tehran, millions join funeral prayers for martyred Leader, family members in Qom

Millions of people gathered at Jamkaran Mosque in Iran’s Qom province on Tuesday morning to attend the funeral prayers for martyred leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei and members of his family, who were killed in the US-Israeli bombing of Iran on February 28.

The funeral prayer was led by Sheikh Javadi Amoli. Large crowds filled the mosque and nearby streets as people came to pay their final respects before the funeral procession began. Many mourners traveled from different parts of Iran to take part in the ceremony, while thousands more gathered along the roads leading to Jamkaran Mosque after the mosque reached full capacity.

After the prayers, the funeral procession was scheduled to move from Nabi Avenue toward the Holy Shrine of Sayyida Fatima Masumeh in the holy city of Qom. People carrying flags and banners joined the procession, while many offered prayers and expressed their grief during the ceremony.

Qom Governor Akbar Behnamjou said the province had completed all preparations for the large gathering. He said local authorities, security officials, and volunteer organizations worked together to make arrangements for the arrival of mourners from across the country. He also said cultural and commemorative events had started at Jamkaran Mosque before the funeral to honor the martyred leader.

According to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent, people started arriving in Qom and at Jamkaran Mosque during the night, and the number of mourners continued to increase until Tuesday morning.

Tuesday’s funeral followed the massive funeral procession held in Tehran, where millions of people attended the ceremonies. Participants from nearly 100 countries also joined the event, making it one of the largest public funerals in recent history.

The funeral ceremonies will continue on Wednesday in the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. More public gatherings and memorial events are expected to be held there. Members of Sayyed Ali Khamenei’s family, along with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and his eldest son, are expected to take part in the events.

The final burial ceremony is scheduled for Thursday in Mashhad, the birthplace of Sayyed Ali Khamenei. He will be laid to rest beside the shrine of Imam al-Ridha, where thousands more mourners are expected to gather for the final farewell.