Aga Khan IV laid to rest in Egypt

Billionaire businessman and spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, was laid to rest on Sunday at a private burial ceremony in Aswan, Egypt.

The Swiss-born philanthropist died on Tuesday in Lisbon, Portugal aged 88, leaving millions of followers in mourning across the world.

A press release from the Ismaili Imamat said Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, named the 50th hereditary Imam following his father’s death, and family members were present at Sunday's ceremony, together with leaders of the global Ismaili community.

A procession went through Aswan to the banks of the River Nile and Aga Khan IV’s casket was transferred by boat in a ceremonial crossing to the private domain where Villa Nour El Salam and the mausoleum of Aga Khan III are situated.

Prince Karim al-Husseini’s body was interred in the existing mausoleum at the top of the hill overlooking the River Nile.

He was regarded as a direct descendent of the Prophet Mohammed, given nearly divine status as the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili sect of Shia Islam.

Aga Khan IV is the founder of Nation Media Group and among his many achievements was the establishment of the Aga Khan Development Network.

The group comprises private, international, and non-denominational agencies working to improve the quality of life in different regions of Asia and Africa, with agencies such as Aga Khan Academies, Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Health Services (which owns Aga Khan Hospitals) and Aga Khan University.

Prince Karim al-Husseini’s parents, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III and his wife Mata Salamat were also laid to rest in Aswan.

Egypt was the centre of the Fatimid Empire, governed by Ismaili Imams during the 10th and 11th centuries.