Kargil join global mourning, hold grand commemoration for Ayatollah Khamenei

Thousands of women also participate in funeral procession

HABEEL SAGAR

KARGIL: In a solemn display of solidarity with the global Shia community, thousands of mourners converged upon Kargil Town today to observe the final rites and worldwide burial of Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, the late Supreme Leader of Iran, who was martyred in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28, 2026.

Thousands of women from different parts of Kargil district also participated in the funeral procession of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, braving extreme heat to pay their respects. The large gathering witnessed mourners taking part in the procession

The day’s commemorative programmes were organized by the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT), Kargil, and Jamiat Ul Ulama Isna Ashriya Kargil (JUIAK) Ladakh. Devotees from across the district’s remote villages arrived in large numbers, forming a massive mourning procession that wound its way through the main thoroughfares of the town. Carrying black standards, portraits of the departed leader, and chanting elegiac verses, the participants maintained a somber yet disciplined atmosphere, reflecting their profound grief and reverence.

Addressing the packed gathering, eminent religious scholars and community leaders delivered poignant orations, shedding light on the multifaceted personality of Ayatollah Khamenei. Speakers meticulously traced his journey—from his early revolutionary days to his 37-year-long stewardship of the Islamic Republic—while underscoring his unwavering commitment to justice, resistance against oppression, and his tireless efforts to foster peace and harmony across the Muslim world. They also drew profound parallels between his life and the eternal teachings of Karbala, emphasizing sacrifice, moral courage, and steadfastness in the face of adversity.

Today’s programmes in Kargil coincide with the final burial ceremonies taking place in Mashhad, Iran, where the late leader is being laid to rest beside the shrine of Imam Reza. His body had earlier been carried through the sacred cities of Tehran, Qom, Najaf, and Karbala, drawing millions of mourners across Iran and Iraq over the past week.

The funeral unfolded against a delicate political backdrop, with his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, having been named his successor following the tragedy, though he has largely remained out of public view due to injuries sustained in the same attack.

The organisers expressed their deep appreciation to the District Administration and the Kargil Police for ensuring seamless security and traffic management throughout the day. They also lauded the volunteers and local residents who extended full cooperation, helping maintain the peaceful and orderly conduct of all events.

“Today, we stand united not only in grief but in our commitment to the ideals that Ayatollah Khamenei championed—unity, justice, and the true spirit of Islam,” said Sajjad Kargili while addressing the gathering. The mourning programmes, which began shortly after the leader’s martyrdom in February, will continue with additional religious discourses, majalis, and recitation sessions over the coming days.