LISBON: Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Agha Khan V has been named the 50th spiritual leader of the Ismaili community here on Wednesday (5th February, 2025).
Rahim al-Hussaini, eldest son of the late Karim Aga Khan IV, was born on 12th October, 1971. Following early education at Phillips Academy Andover, he graduated in Comparative Literature from Brown University in 1995.
The 49th spiritual Imam of world’s fifteen million Ismailis (living in 35 countries), Prince Karim Al-Husseini Agha Khan IV, has died at the age of 88 here on Tuesday (4th February, 2025).
He became the 49th Imam and held the title of Agha Khan from 1957 to 2025. Name of the 50th Imam has yet not been announced. Known for donating enormous sums of money to assist people in the poorest parts of the globe, Prince Karim Agha Khan IV was also famous as a horse race aficionado.
Statement issued by the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat: “… Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, has died peacefully in Lisbon, Portugal, aged 88. He was surrounded by his family.
“Prince Karim Aga Khan was a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali, the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph of Islam and the first Shia Imam.
“He was the eldest son of Prince Aly Khan and Joan Yarde-Buller, and grandson and successor as Imam of the late Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III. Throughout his life, His Highness the Aga Khan IV emphasised that Islam is a thinking, spiritual faith that teaches compassion and tolerance, and upholds the dignity of humankind.
“His Highness dedicated his life to improving the living condition of his community and the peoples of the countries in which they live, irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity or religion. He founded and guided one of the world’s largest private international development organisations that serves communities in some of the most fragile and underdeveloped regions of the world.
“He was respected globally as a statesman and defender of peace and human progress. The 50th Imam has been designated, and is to be announced following the reading of His Highness’s Will in the coming days. Information about the funeral arrangements will be announced shortly. “
Newspakistan.tv
Sana Mehmood
Newspakistan.tv
