Prof Mazrui's body to arrive on Sunday morning

The body of Prof Ali Mazrui leaves New York at 12:50pm Friday aboard a Turkish Airlines flight expected to arrive in Instabul at 5.40pm.

Speaking to The Standard yesterday, Sheikh Hamadi Kassim said the body would stay about 12 hours at Instanbul Airport before being loaded onto another plane at 6.15am for a direct flight to Mombasa.

The body, which will be accompanied by the deceased's wife and some of his children, is expected at the Moi International Airport at 3.30am on Sunday and will be received by family members and invited guests.

"The body will first be taken to his house then moved to Mbaruk Mosque at 9.30am for prayers before burial at Mazrui Cemetery," he said.

Sheikh Kassim said while only a few people would be allowed inside the mosque, a celebration of the professor's life will be open to the public when guests assemble at the Aga Khan Academy Hall at 11.30am.