Beirut bustling for Sayyed Nasrallah, Sayyed Safieddine funeral
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People from all over Lebanon and the world are flocking to Beirut as Lebanon prepares to bid farewell to leaders Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine.
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Workers display a giant banner with the portraits of the late Hezbollah leaders Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine at Beirut's City Sportive stadium, in Beirut, Lebanon, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 (AP)
Lebanon is witnessing an atmosphere of mourning and mass mobilization as the country prepares for the funeral of resistance leaders Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine.
For days, preparations have been underway to accommodate the massive crowds expected to attend the funeral, with Beirut’s Sports City Stadium set to host both official delegations and the large numbers of mourners.
Since early morning, thousands of people from various Lebanese regions have been making their way toward Beirut, leading to severe traffic congestion, particularly on the Sidon-Beirut and Bekaa-Beirut highways.
Processions, both on foot and in vehicles, have also emerged in Beirut’s southern suburb as Lebanon and the wider Arab and Islamic world bid farewell to two leaders who played a crucial role in the resistance movement, particularly in support of the Palestinian cause.
Gatherings have already begun near the burial site of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, with mourners chanting in support of the resistance and Palestine. Thousands from Arab and Islamic countries—including Iraq, Yemen, Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Turkiye—have already arrived in Beirut for the funeral, underscoring its historical significance for the region.
Air travel to Beirut has surged, with over 50 flights landing at the Beirut International Airport since the early hours of the morning, primarily from Iraq and Turkey. Meanwhile, Lebanese families have opened their homes to foreign visitors, and hotel occupancy in Beirut has reportedly exceeded 90%.
A momentous ceremony
Beirut’s Sports City Stadium, where the main funeral ceremony will take place, has been draped in large images of the two martyrs alongside Lebanese and Hezbollah flags, with the slogan "We remain committed to the pledge."
The stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 80,000, is expected to be filled to capacity, with tens of thousands more gathering in surrounding streets. Seating arrangements have been made and additional overflow areas designated, including parking lots capable of accommodating 30,000 people.
To ensure the safety of attendees, the Islamic Health Society has deployed 1,500 medical volunteers, including paramedics, doctors, and nurses, across 60 medical tents. Additionally, 100 ambulances have been stationed along the funeral route.
Lebanese security forces have raised their alert level to 100%, with the army establishing an operations room in coordination with various security agencies. Intensive patrols are being conducted across the capital to maintain order and security throughout the event.
The funeral procession is set to begin at 1:00 PM on Sunday, but mourners have been arriving since Saturday night.
The ceremony will include a speech by Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem, a collective recitation of the Quran, followed by the Lebanese national anthem and Hezbollah’s anthem. The coffins of the two martyrs will then be brought into the stadium in a special vehicle before being laid to rest.
A day of loyalty, allegiance
Hezbollah's Deputy Executive Council Chairman, Sheikh Ali Daamouch, called for the broadest possible participation in the funeral procession of martyrs Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine on Sunday, urging that it be an exceptional and unifying event.
On the eve of the funeral, Sheikh Daamouch emphasized that “tomorrow is a day of loyalty, allegiance, and commitment to the martyrs, and our presence at their funeral is a form of tribute to them.”
He urged people to turn out in force from every home, village, and city, "to tell friends and foes that our Resistance endures and remains present on the battlefield and that the Zionist enemy will never be able to crush it."
Participants from all political affiliations must refrain from firing guns into the air, Daamouch stressed, adding that such actions would be disrespectful to the occasion and its sanctity.
During the conference, Daamouch pointed out that Sayyed Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem's martyrdom was not unexpected, as the Resistance has always made great sacrifices, recalling figures such as Sheikh Ragheb Harb and Sayyed Abbas al-Mousawi.
