Aga Khan IV burial set for Sunday in Egypt

Lisbon, (UG):- The Egyptian city of Aswan will today, Sunday, February 9, be the resting place for His Highness Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, the 49th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, following an emotional funeral ceremony held in Lisbon, Portugal, on Saturday.

The burial of the Aga Khan IV, who died aged 88 on Tuesday, will be a private ceremony.

His predecessor and grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III, is also buried in Aswan at the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan along River Nile.

A statement issued on Saturday by the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat said that His Highness’s body will lie in his grandfather’s mausoleum for some time.

“He will be interred in the mausoleum of his grandfather, the late Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III, until a new mausoleum is constructed as his final resting place on land adjacent to the existing structure,” the statement said.

Saturday in Lisbon, a ceremony grand, with Aga Khan V and family at hand. Leaders gathered in solemn grace, honouring a life of wisdom and faith.

“Amongst global leaders in attendance,” they shared, “were Portugal’s President, Canada’s Premier, and dignitaries from lands far and near—Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Spain, and Qatar, the UK, Pakistan, and the Emirates afar.”

In Jamatkhanas, hearts stood still, as Ismailis mourned with love and will. His casket draped in white and gold, a leader’s legacy, brave and bold.

Pakistan on Saturday mourned with pride, flags at half-mast, grief worldwide. A minister there to pay respect, to a man whose work will long reflect.

Then Tuesday marks a solemn date, as Ismailis pledge and consecrate. “A special homage will take place, with leaders pledging in Lisbon’s space,” said the Imamat in its decree, for Aga Khan V’s legacy.

“A special homage ceremony will take place in Lisbon, Portugal. Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V will grant an audience to senior leaders of the Ismaili community, who will pledge their allegiance, on behalf of the global Ismaili community, to the 50th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims,” said a statement from the Ismaili Imamat on Thursday.

Among the many achievements of the Aga Khan IV was the establishment of the Aga Khan Development Network — a group of private, international, non-denominational agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world.