Prince Aga Khan, Spiritual Leader of Ismailis, Dies Aged 88


Prince Aga Khan, Spiritual Leader of Ismailis, Dies Aged 88

A famed philanthropist, the Aga Khan IV poured billions of dollars into building homes, hospitals and schools across more than 30 countries; his successor to be announced following the reading of his will

 
Prince Aga Khan

February 5, 2025 – Prince Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, passed away on February 4 at the age of 88. According to an announcement made by his charity the Aga Khan Development Network, “His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV and 49th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims passed away peacefully in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family”.

The Aga Khan IV was the 49th Imam of Nizari Ismailis from 1957 to 2025, after succeeding to the position at the age of 20 upon the death of his grandfather, Aga Khan III. He officially became Aga Khan IV on October 19, 1957, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In 1957, he was given the title of His Highness by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Ismaili Muslims are a worldwide population of about 15 million. There are around 500,000 Ismailis in Pakistan and large populations in India, Afghanistan and Africa.

Also known by the religious title Maulana Hazar Imam by his followers, Prince Aga Khan was considered by his Ismaili Muslim followers to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He was born in Switzerland and had British citizenship.

The Aga Khan IV was a staunch advocate of Islamic culture and values and also a famed philanthropist, pouring billions of dollars into building homes, hospitals and schools in developing countries. Working with an annual budget of around $1 billion, the Aga Khan charities ran hundreds of hospitals, educational and cultural projects across more than 30 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Tajikistan,.

The Prince was also the founder of the Aga Khan Foundation charity and gave his name to several institutions including a university in Karachi, and the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He helped restore Islamic sites and created the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

His charity further said that an announcement regarding his successor would follow later after the reading of his will. The late leader is survived by three sons, a daughter and several grandchildren.

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