A solemn atmosphere enveloped the Grand Mosalla in Tehran, Iran, as the casket of Ayatollah Khamenei was presented to the public for the first time in a pre-funeral event. The coffin, draped in the Iranian national flag, was greeted with tears and chants of religious slogans from the attending mourners.
The event, held on Thursday (July 2), focused on the families of armed forces members and staff from the Supreme Leader's office. At the site, the casket was placed against a backdrop of red flowers and white butterfly ornaments, creating a solemn ambiance for the attendees paying their final respects in a limited capacity.
Funeral committee spokesperson Iman Attarzadeh revealed that this session served as the first opportunity for selected families to bid farewell to the deceased before broader processions take place. Despite being a closed-door event, the ceremony was broadcast on state television for the wider public to watch.
The Iranian government has scheduled a series of public tribute ceremonies to take place from Saturday (July 4) to Sunday (July 5) at the Grand Mosalla complex. Following the processions in Tehran and Qom, the body will be taken to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in Iraq for further tributes.
This extended procession is planned to culminate next Thursday (July 9). The body of Ayatollah Khamenei is scheduled to be buried in his hometown of Mashhad as his final resting place.
