According to Atabe News, a group of Iraqi tribal sheikhs, elders, and leaders met with Ayatollah Ahmad Marvi, Custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, on Thursday evening, October 29, 2026, at the Velayat Hall of the holy Razavi Shrine. During the meeting, they expressed their pleasure at being in the holy city of Mashhad and visiting the luminous shrine of Imam Reza (AS), and spoke about the longstanding bonds between the peoples of Iran and Iraq.

The Iraqi guests described the extensive participation of the Iraqi people, sheikhs, and tribes in the funeral ceremony of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution as a manifestation of the two nations’ loyalty and brotherhood, stressing the importance of continuing this solidarity.

Sheikh Mohammad Abbas al-Oraibi: We Are Grateful for the Hospitality and Warm Welcome of the Islamic Republic of Iran

During another part of the meeting, Sheikh Mohammad Abbas al-Oraibi, Deputy and Adviser to the Iraqi Prime Minister for Tribal Affairs, expressed his appreciation, on behalf of Iraqi tribal sheikhs and elders, to the Islamic Republic of Iran for hosting and welcoming the Iraqi tribal delegation.

He stated: “On behalf of our brothers, Sayyids, and tribal sheikhs who are present here, we thank the Islamic Republic of Iran for its warm welcome and gracious hospitality toward the Iraqi delegation.”

Sheikh al-Oraibi also thanked the officials, sheikhs, and Sayyids in the Islamic Republic of Iran who had contributed to accompanying and welcoming the Iraqi delegation. He prayed to Almighty God to protect the peoples of Iraq and Iran from every evil and harm.

Sheikh Raysan Mutashar Fahd: Iraqi Tribes’ Support for Iran Reflects Their Beliefs and Historic Character

Sheikh Raysan Mutashar Fahd, one of the Iraqi tribal sheikhs, then referred to the historic role of tribes in shaping Iraq’s history and civilization, saying: “Anyone who studies the ancient and contemporary history of Iraq will realize that a significant part of this land’s history and civilization has been shaped by the role and honorable positions taken by Iraqi tribes.”

Emphasizing that Iraqi tribes have throughout history upheld dignity, courage, and commitment to values, he added: “Iraqi tribes have never been servants of sultans or supporters of tyranny. Rather, they have always been known for their honor, dignity, and principled and valuable positions.”

Referring to the Iraqi delegation’s presence beside the shrine of Imam Reza (AS) and its expression of solidarity with the Iranian people following the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei (RA), the tribal sheikh stated: “The position taken by Iraqi tribes alongside the Islamic Republic of Iran reflects the enduring conduct, character, and approach of the Iraqi people in following the path of truth.”

Sheikh Raysan Mutashar Fahd also pointed to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s support for Muslim communities around the world, noting: “In supporting Muslims, the Islamic Republic of Iran has made no distinction between identities or schools of thought, and has stood beside Muslims in difficult times. The peoples of Iraq and Iran are one people, and this bond and solidarity will continue until the end of time.”

Sheikh Fares al-Budairi: The Ties Between Iran and Iraq Are Rooted in Religion, Faith, and Longstanding Relations

Sheikh Fares al-Budairi, another Iraqi tribal sheikh, also expressed his pleasure at being in Mashhad and visiting the shrine of Imam Reza (AS). He described the bond between the peoples of Iran and Iraq as extending beyond geographical neighborliness.

Referring to the shared foundations of the two nations, he said: “The most important factors connecting Iran and Iraq are their faith, the religion of Islam, and the authentic, deep-rooted relations that have existed between the two peoples for centuries.”

The Iraqi sheikh referred to what he described as the extensive campaign by the enemies of Islam against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the religion of Islam, stating: “The Islamic Republic of Iran holds a steadfast position in defending Islam and oppressed Muslims in different parts of the world.”

Sheikh al-Budairi also spoke of the grief felt by the Iraqi people following the martyrdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, members of his family, and a number of Iranian commanders and citizens. He emphasized: “The people of Iraq, across all communities and affiliations, followed this event with profound sorrow and demonstrated honorable positions. We, as tribal sheikhs, take pride in this solidarity, because we believe that the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution was a leader for all the people of Iraq and Iran.”

Sheikh Ali al-Ghanimi: The Iraqi People Stood Beside the Islamic Republic of Iran from the Very First Moments

Sheikh Ali al-Ghanimi, another speaker at the meeting, referred to the hospitality extended to the Iraqi delegation from the moment of its arrival at the airport through its visit to the holy Razavi Shrine and the Velayat Hall. He stated: “Our presence at this meeting is not merely to thank you for your hospitality; our purpose is to strengthen our ties and express our solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran and our brothers in this country.”

Sheikh al-Ghanimi said that the Iraqi people had stood beside the Islamic Republic of Iran from the very first moments of the attack against the country, adding: “People from all communities and groups in Iraq—from tribal sheikhs and government employees to university professors, physicians, and other sectors of society—stood beside the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

He added that, beginning on the second day after the martyrdom of the martyred Leader, mourning ceremonies were held in mosques and Hussainiyas throughout Iraq, from the south to the north, and people also took part in the funeral procession.

Emphasizing that these actions were intended to declare solidarity and demonstrate the Iraqi nation’s support for Iran, he stated: “The people of Iraq wanted to show the world that they stand on one front and alongside the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Comparing the circumstances to the Battle of the Confederates (Ahzab) and the Battle of Badr, he said: “On one side of this confrontation stood the forces of evil and global arrogance, while on the other stood the Islamic Republic of Iran. From the very beginning, we believed in victory, and the outcome of this battle cannot be judged solely through ordinary calculations or a comparison of the military power of the two sides.”

Referring to the Muslims’ victory at the Battle of Badr despite their small numbers, Sheikh al-Ghanimi said: “Just as God granted victory to the Muslims at Badr, we too believed in divine support. In our view, this battle recalled Badr, the Battle of the Confederates, and the steadfastness of Imam Hussein (AS) on the day of Ashura.”