Hundreds of people gathered in Karachi to offer Ghaybana Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayer in absentia) for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on March 2, 2026. The prayer took place at Imambargah Asna Ashari and other Shia mosques across the city after reports of his martyrdom shocked many in Pakistan.
The Ghaybana prayer is a special Islamic ritual done when someone cannot attend the actual funeral. It shows respect and sympathy for the deceased and their loved ones. In Karachi, large crowds stood in rows, led by local scholars, to pray for Ayatollah Khamenei’s soul and for peace in Iran. People carried black flags, pictures of the leader, and banners with messages like “Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun” and “We stand with Iran.”
Many attendees said they admired Ayatollah Khamenei for his support of Palestine, resistance against injustice, and leadership in the Muslim world. Speakers at the gathering remembered him as a strong voice for oppressed people and a defender of Islamic values. They prayed for strength for the Iranian nation during this hard time.
The event was peaceful and emotional. Men, women, and youth joined together in mourning. Similar prayers were held in Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, and other cities with Shia populations. Social media posts from Karachi showed people standing shoulder to shoulder, some crying, others raising slogans of unity.
This Ghaybana prayer reflects the deep bond many Pakistanis feel with Iran. It shows respect for a leader who was seen as a symbol of courage and faith. In a time of sorrow, Karachi’s people came together to honor his memory and pray for peace and justice in the region.
