The late Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary imam of the Shiite Ismaili Muslims, was laid to rest in a private ceremony in Aswan, Egypt. His passing was announced by the Aga Khan Development Network and the Ismaili religious community, with his son Rahim Al-Hussaini succeeding him as the Aga Khan V.
A private funeral service was held at the Ismaili community center in Lisbon, attended by dignitaries such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Spain’s King Emeritus Juan Carlos, and Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Prince Karim, considered a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, was accorded the title of “His Highness” by Queen Elizabeth in 1957. He was known for his role as a spiritual leader and his efforts in bridging Muslim societies with the West.
The Aga Khan Development Network, under his leadership, focused on healthcare, housing, education, and rural economic development in over 30 countries, with an annual budget of approximately $1 billion for nonprofit activities.
Ismailis, followers of the Aga Khan, have a long history in various regions, including Iran, Syria, South Asia, East Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East, as well as more recent settlements in Europe, North America, and Australia. They uphold the tradition of donating a portion of their income to the Aga Khan as a form of stewardship.
The late Aga Khan’s burial in Aswan was in accordance with his wishes to be laid to rest near his grandfather and grandmother. The ceremony was marked by Ismaili mourners marching as bells rang, with Prince Karim’s body placed on a yacht on the Nile River.
