Editorial photo #13944273 Religion and Belief

Thousands Bid Farewell To Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei In Najaf Amid Official And Popular Ceremonies.

Mourners gather for the official funeral procession of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Najaf, Iraq, on July 8, 2026. Large crowds from across Iraq participate in the farewell ceremonies, with the procession proceeding under tight security. Thousands line the route, waving religious banners and carrying pictures of the deceased. Religious and political figures, tribal leaders, and official and popular delegations attend the event. Mourners offer prayers and supplications as the body passes through Najaf, a significant religious center in the Islamic world. (Photo by Muntazer Uday Sahib/NurPhoto)