Aga Khan IV laid to rest in Aswan

KARACHI:

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was laid to rest in Aswan, Egypt, on Sunday at a private burial ceremony attended by Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, family members, and leaders of the global Ismaili community, said a press release issued by the Diwan of Ismaili Imamat.

It said that Aswan Governor Maj-Gen Dr Ismail Kamal joined the procession from the city to the banks of the Nile River, where the casket of the late prince was transferred by boat in a ceremonial crossing to the private domain, where Villa Nour El Salam and the mausoleum of Aga Khan III were situated.

The casket, draped in a white cloth with his personal standard embroidered in gold, was carried by hand to his resting place. Prince Karim was laid to rest in the mausoleum of the late Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III, atop of the hill overlooking the Nile.

Prince Karim al-Husseini, 88, passed away in Lisbon on Tuesday. His funeral prayers were offered in Lisbon on Saturday. The funeral was attended by over 300 guests, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and former Spanish king Juan Carlos.

Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb represented Pakistan at the funeral. He also met with Prince Rahim Aga Khan V and expressed heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of late Prince Karim Aga Khan on behalf of the president, the prime minister and the people of Pakistan.

Meanwhile. President Asif Zardari on Sunday left for Lisbon, to meet Prince Rahim Agha Khan to extend his condolences on the passing of the late Prince Karim. According to the President House, Zardari will also meet President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

The late Aga Khan was the 49th Imam of the global Ismaili community. His ancestors had governed Egypt – the centre of the Fatimid Caliphate – during the 10th and 11th centuries.

Aswan was the final resting place of Sir the Aga Khan III, and his wife, Mata Salamat. They both enjoyed warm relations with the people of Aswan, which have been sustained by the late Prince Karim and his family, through the work of the Om Habibeh Foundation and the Aga Khan Foundation.