Ismaili Muslims bid goodbye to late Aga Khan

Express Tribune

09-02-2025

LISBON:
The funeral prayers of late Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, was held in Lisbon on Saturday.
Prince Karim al-Husseini, 88, died on Tuesday. He was regarded as a direct descendent of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and enjoyed near divine status as the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Nizaris.
Saturday's private ceremony at the Ismaili community centre in Lisbon was attended by more than 300 guests, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and former Spanish king Juan Carlos I.
Aga Khan IV died in the Portuguese capital, where he had established the global headquarters in 2015.
He held British and Portuguese nationalities, as well as honorary Canadian citizenship, a distinction rarely given.
The global Ismaili community assembled around the world in Jamatkhanas (places of worship and gathering) to witness the ceremony through a live transmission, and to pay tribute to their Imam's extraordinary life of leadership and service.
His Highness's casket was draped in a white cloth, with his personal standard embroidered in gold. It was carried into the ceremonial hall by volunteers from the Ismaili community, while prayers were recited invoking blessings on Prophet Muhammad and his progeny (peace be upon them). In accordance with Muslim tradition, verses from the Holy Quran were recited and, thereafter, guests filed past the casket to pay their last respects.
Throughout his life, His Highness emphasised that Islam is a thinking, spiritual faith, that teaches compassion and tolerance and upholds the dignity of humankind.
Guided by these ethical principles, he established the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) a group of private, international, non-denominational agencies, working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest, most vulnerable parts of the developing world. He leaves a powerful legacy and platform for his successor, Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V.
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV will be laid to rest on Sunday (today), at a private burial ceremony in Aswan, Egypt. 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.
His eldest son, 53-year-old Rahim, will succeed him and take on the title of Aga Khan V.
The equivalent of an inauguration of the new Aga Khan will be held on Tuesday morning at the community's headquarters, a mansion in central Lisbon.
Born in Geneva on December 13, 1936, Al-Hussaini succeeded his grandfather, Mahomed Shah, as leader of the Ismailis in 1957, when he was only 20 years old.
His father, Ali, was excluded from the succession after his tumultuous marriage to US actor Rita Hayworth.
As Aga Khan, Al-Hussaini expanded the work of his grandfather, who created hospitals, housing and banking cooperatives in developing countries.
He invested part of the immense family fortune in the most deprived countries, combining philanthropy with business acumen.
To this end, he founded the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a gigantic foundation which is thought to have 96,000 employees worldwide and which funds development programmes, mainly in Asia and Africa.
A keen racehorse owner, he continued the family tradition of breeding thoroughbreds in his eight stables in France and Ireland. His horses have many of the most prestigious races.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb represented Pakistan at the funeral.
According to press release issued by finance ministry, during the meeting with Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V the minister expressed heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of late Prince Karim Aga Khan on behalf of the President, the Prime Minister and people of Pakistan.
The minister lauded the services of late Prince Karim Aga Khan and the Aga Khan Development Network which has a focus on development of human capacity, generating economic growth, building resilient communities and honoring cultural heritage.
He said the sad demise of Prince Karim al-Hussain was a monumental loss not only for his family, friends and followers but also for the underprivileged and destitute people of the world.He recalled late Prince Karim Agha Khan's special attachment to Pakistan and its people.
The government of Pakistan declared February 8 as the day of national mourning on the occasion of the funeral of Prince Karim Aga Khan, the press release said, adding Pakistani flag will remain on half-mast in the country and at Pakistan missions abroad.