49th imam of the Shiite Ismaili Muslims, Aga Khan IV, to be buried in Aswan

CAIRO – 9 February 2025: Egyptian Prime Minister authorized the burial of Aga Khan IV, the 49th imam of the Shiite Ismaili Muslims, in Aswan on Sunday.

Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation Sameh El-Hefny has directed to facilitate all necessary procedures to ensure the smooth reception of the late Prince Karim Al-Husseini Aga Khan IV's body. 

The Aswan International Airport Administration, in coordination with relevant authorities, has implemented all required measures to ensure a respectful and organized reception during both the arrival and departure of the delegations attending the funeral ceremonies.

A private plane from "Global Jet," arriving from Lisbon, Portugal, landed at Aswan International Airport on the evening of Saturday, February 8, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sunday.

The plane carried 80 passengers from the Aga Khan family and members of the Ismaili community. 

The delegation was warmly received by Major General Dr. Ismail Kamal, governor of Aswan; Major General Pilot Ahmed El-Baz, director of Aswan International Airport; Dr. Hanan El-Gendy, executive director of the Umm Habiba Foundation; and the airport's public relations team.

They provided logistical support and opened the VIP lounge for the family and delegations.

A second private plane, carrying the body of the late prince, arrived at exactly 12 AM on February 9. This plane also carried family members and members of the Ismaili community.

The airport's public relations team coordinated with relevant authorities to ensure that all procedures ran smoothly, allowing for the efficient arrival of delegations and the completion of the ceremonies as per the official arrangements.

The burial ceremony is set to take place in Aswan Governorate, where the late prince will be interred in the family mausoleum alongside his father, Aga Khan III (Sultan Muhammad Shah), who passed away in 1957, and his wife, Begum Umm Habiba, who died in 2000.