WANA (Jun 04) – An Iranian lawmaker has proposed that the body of the late Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution be taken to the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala for funeral processions before the final burial ceremony, describing the initiative as one with significant religious, cultural, and diplomatic dimensions.

 

Ehsan Azimirad, a member of Iran’s Parliament representing Mashhad and Kalat, said he had submitted the proposal in separate letters to Iran’s Supreme Leader, the heads of the three branches of government, the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and the Foreign Minister.

 

According to Azimirad, the proposal aims to honor the late leader and allow funeral ceremonies to be held in Najaf and Karbala, two of the holiest cities in Shiite Islam. Najaf is home to the shrine of Imam Ali, while Karbala houses the shrines of Imam Hussein and Abbas ibn Ali.

 

The lawmaker said the initiative goes beyond a religious ceremony and could help strengthen ties between Iran and Iraq, foster greater unity among Shiite communities, and expand cultural and political cooperation between the two countries.

 

He also noted that such an event could attract widespread regional attention and serve as a symbolic occasion for millions of Shiite Muslims around the world.

 

Azimirad added that his letters also called for the formation of specialized committees and the launch of diplomatic, security, and logistical consultations with Iraqi authorities to assess the feasibility of the proposal and examine its various aspects.

 

He concluded that implementing the plan would require close coordination among Iranian institutions and cooperation from the Iraqi government, and that, if realized, it could become one of the most significant religious and symbolic events in the Shiite world in recent years.