The Agha Khan Mausoleum In Aswan

The Agha Khan Mausoleum

The Aga Khan III, Sir Sultan Muhammed Shah, was the Nizari Ismaili faith’s 48th Imam. He is also one of the founders of the All-India Muslim League (AIML), and their first president. He died in 1957, and since the Fatimid center of influence was formerly in Egypt, his mausoleum is located at Aswan alongside the Nile.

It was noted that he had a great affection for Aswan, he therefore spent every year winter in the city and this why his widow constructed for him this glorious mausoleum in the spot he always cherished.

The mausoleum is constructed using the style of the Cairo Fatimid graves. It is made of pink-colored limestone, and the tomb is made with white Carrara marble. Two years after his death, the Aga Khan was buried there as he used to stay in a villa close by spending part of the winter season.

A red rose is placed on the tomb of the Aga Khan daily; this is a tradition initiated by Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan, the wife of the Aga Khan.

The Agha Khan Mausoleum has since then been an Aswan site of attraction, but sadly it is now closed for public tours. Nevertheless, taking a cruise in a Felucca sailing boat is also fun to see the charm of the house from outside.

Updated On April 30, 2020