Aga Khan IV laid to rest in Aswan, Egypt
What you need to know:
- As a mark of respect, the Governor of Aswan, Major General Dr Ismail Kamal, facilitated and participated in a dignified procession through the city to the banks of the River Nile.
Aswan, Egypt. His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was laid to rest on February 9, 2025, in a private burial ceremony in Aswan, Egypt.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th Ismaili Imam, along with family members and leaders of the global Ismaili community, attended the solemn occasion.
As a mark of respect, the Governor of Aswan facilitated and participated in a dignified procession through the city to the banks of the River Nile.
In a ceremonial crossing, the casket of the late Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was transferred by boat to the private domain where Villa Nour El Salam and the mausoleum of Aga Khan III are situated.
Carried by hand in a solemn procession led by family members, His Highness was interred in the existing mausoleum at the top of the hill overlooking the Nile.
The burial ceremonies followed Muslim traditions, after which leaders present expressed their condolences to the family.
Following the interment, the Governor of Aswan, Major General Dr. Ismail Kamal, presented Prince Rahim Aga Khan V with a symbolic key to the city, a gesture of respect and recognition.
A legacy rooted in history
Egypt was the center of the Fatimid Caliphate, governed by Ismaili Imams during the 10th and 11th centuries. The Fatimid Imam-Caliphs founded the city of Cairo, which became a major hub for learning, culture, and trade.
Their contributions to pluralism, education, and the arts led to advancements in science, architecture, and philosophy—many of which remain integral to the region’s cultural heritage.
Aswan has long been significant to the Aga Khan family. It is the final resting place of Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III and his wife, Mata Salamat. Their deep connection with the people of Aswan has been sustained by the late Prince Karim and his family through the work of the Om Habibeh Foundation and the Aga Khan Foundation.
A life of service
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV passed away in Lisbon, Portugal, on February 4, 2025, at the age of 88. According to a statement from his charity, he “passed away peacefully” surrounded by his family.
Throughout his life, the Aga Khan’s charitable organizations established and operated hundreds of hospitals, educational institutions, and cultural projects, primarily in the developing world.
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) expressed its condolences to the Aga Khan family and the Ismaili community worldwide. “We continue to work with our partners to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities across the world, as he wished, irrespective of their religious affiliations or origins,” the organization stated.
Global tributes
Following his passing, world leaders sent messages of condolence to the Aga Khan family and the Ismaili community.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi joined the global mourning.
“It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of His Highness Prince Karim Al-Husseini, Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the world’s Ismaili Muslims and the founder of the Aga Khan Development Network,” President Samia wrote on her official X account.
Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Mwinyi honored the Aga Khan’s visionary leadership and lifelong commitment to humanitarianism, education, healthcare, and global development.
Kenyan President William Ruto described him as “an extraordinary leader who went beyond what seemed impossible to help the vulnerable—through his charities in hospitals and schools.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres remembered Prince Karim Aga Khan IV as “a global spiritual leader, philanthropist, and advocate for peace, development, and pluralism.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute, stating, “The Aga Khan devoted his life to peace and prosperity for all. He worked across continents and cultures to resolve the world’s greatest humanitarian challenges: poverty, education, and gender inequality. He was an extraordinary man of vision, faith, and generosity, and I know his legacy will live on through the many lives he touched.”