It is located on the west bank of the Nile close to St Simeon Monastery. It has a panoramic view for Aswan in all directions.
Mohammed Shah Aga Khan who died in 1957 was the spiritual leader of the Ismailis, a Shi’ite sect. He succeeded his father in 1885 to become the 48th imam, and he had followers all over the world, especially in India. His wife “The Beum was died in 2000 and was burried with her husband as Aswan was their favourite wintering place. the family’s white villa is in the garden beneath the tomb.
The Aga Khan was educated in Europe and was extremely wealthy. During his lifetime he was knighted by the Queen of England, and received similar recognition from Germany, Turkey and other countries. It is said that on his birthday in 1945, he was weighed in diamonds which he then distributed to his followers.
After he died in 1957, his grandson Karim Aga Khan succeeded him.