Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the 49th spiritual leader of the Ismaili community and known for his development work around the world, was laid to rest at a private burial ceremony in Aswan, Egypt on Sunday, the community said.
The Aga Khan IV’s successor Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V and his family were present, together with senior leaders of the community.
The Aswan governor facilitated and participated in a procession through the city to the banks of the River Nile. The late imam’s casket was transferred by boat in a ceremonial crossing to the mausoleum of Shia Ismaili’s 48th spiritual leader Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah. “The janaza (casket) was carried by hand to the hilltop mausoleum, where Shah Karim’s body was interred.”
After the ceremony, leaders present had the opportunity to express condolences to the family, and the Aswan governor presented the 50th spiritual leader of Ismailis with a “symbolic key to the City of Aswan as a mark of respect.”
New mausoleum will be constructed
“He will be interred in the mausoleum of his grandfather, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah until a new mausoleum is constructed as his final resting place on land adjacent to the existing structure,” the community said in a statement.
Aga Khan IV passed away on February 4, surrounded by family in Lisbon, Portugal. He was 88.
Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V was named the 50th spiritual leader of the Ismaili community “following the unsealing of the Will of his late father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV.”
On Saturday, the funeral ceremony for the late Ismaili imam was held at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon.
More than 300 guests, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, former Spanish king Juan Carlos I, and Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, leaders of the Ismaili community and other dignitaries attended the ceremony. Family members, community leaders, Aga Khan University President Sulaiman Shahabuddin, and Habib Bank Limited Board of Directors Chairman Sultan Ali Allan were also present.
The funeral was a close event attended only by guests. The ceremony saw representation from the Ismaili community, including the 22 National Council presidents from around the world, including Pakistan.
