Cairo (Web Desk): Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismailis, was laid to rest in Egypt's Aswan city on Sunday.
The world has bid farewell to Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, the 49th Imam of the Ismaili community, who passed away at the age of 88.
According to international media, private burial service was held in Aswa, where his family, including his son Prince Rahim Aga Khan, now the 50th Imam, gathered to honour his memory.
The ceremony was dignified and solemn, with the Governor of Aswan playing a central role in facilitating a respectful procession that traversed the city to the banks of the Nile.
In a remarkable gesture, the casket was transported by boat across the river before being carried by hand to the mausoleum of Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, where the late Imam’s body was laid to rest.
A symbol of reverence was presented to Prince Rahim as a token of respect, with the Governor of Aswan offering him the symbolic key to the city. Plans for a new mausoleum in memory of the late Aga Khan, next to the existing one, were also announced.
Prince Karim Aga Khan, born in Switzerland and raised in Nairobi, was not only renowned for his wealth and passion for horse racing but also for his immense contributions to global development.
As the spiritual leader of the Ismailis, he devoted much of his life to improving the lives of people in Asia and Africa through initiatives spearheaded by the Aga Khan Development Network.
His legacy of service was recognized internationally, earning him multiple awards, honorary degrees, and accolades for his humanitarian work.
Prince Karim’s leadership transcended national borders, and he was particularly noted for his work in Pakistan, where he received the country’s highest civilian honours.
Throughout his life, the Aga Khan was dedicated to improving education, healthcare, and cultural preservation, among other causes.
His legacy will live on through the work of the AKDN, and his family will continue to uphold the values he set forth, ensuring his vision for a better world remains alive for generations to come.