Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, widely known as Aga Khan 1V, has passed away at the age of 88 in Lisbon, Portugal. He was a revered spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims and a prominent philanthropist.
Born on December 13, 1936, in Creux-de-Genthod, Switzerland, Aga Khan IV became the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Aga Khan III, in 1957. His grandfather had chosen him over his father, Aly Khan, stating that the community needed a leader “who has been brought up in the midst of the new age.” Though, he was born in Geneva, he spent his early years in Kenya. He was appointed Imam of Ismaili Muslims in Tanzania after the passing away of his grandfather.
The Ismailis, a Muslim sect with a global population of approximately 1.5 million, have significant communities in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Africa. His leadership marked the expansion of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a vast philanthropic organisation that runs numerous educational, healthcare, and housing projects across 30 countries. The AKDN, with an annual budget of approximately $13.3 billion, has played a pivotal role in advancing development in areas such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Tajikistan. The AKDN is engaged in many developmental activities in Pakistan.
Aga Khan IV’s philanthropic work was guided by his belief in the moral responsibility of privileged individuals. He once shared in an interview, “We have no notion of the accumulation of wealth being evil. The Islamic ethic is that if God has given you the capacity or good fortune to be a privileged individual in society, you have a moral responsibility to society.” This philosophy was reflected in the Ismaili Muslim practice of giving up to 12.5% of their income as a religious duty, contributing to both his wealth and his extensive charitable efforts.
He founded the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture, which honours innovative architectural works that improve the quality of life and embrace Islamic traditions. He was also involved in the restoration of significant Islamic heritage sites, such as the Humayun's Tomb in Delhi.
In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II granted him the title “His Highness,” reflecting his prominent role on the world stage. Aga Khan's personal life reflected both his wealth and his commitment to philanthropy. A was a billionaire with vast business interests, including racehorse breeding. His wealth also stemmed from investments in various industries, including media, where he founded the Nation Media Group, the largest independent media organisation in East and Central Africa.
Despite his luxurious lifestyle, including a private island in the Bahamas, a super-yacht, and a private jet, the Aga Khan remained dedicated to his charitable causes. His fortune was estimated at around $13.3 billion, much of which was channelled into global development projects. He was particularly focused on improving education, health, and infrastructure in the developing world.
Ismaili Muslims are a fun-loving and unique community and their imam also is a fun loving person. In his early life in Nairobi, he started a newspaper called 'East African Nation.'
Aga Khanis are a very scattered community, they are spread all over the world – in Canada, in India, Kazakhstan Pakistan, Bangladesh etc. Aga Khan took very special care of his devotees. In 1972, when the Uganda expulsion happened, Aga Khan made contacted the Canadian president and secured 10,000 vouchers for the Uganda Ismaili community. These people just had to go to the Canadian High Commission's office and show their membership of the Ismaili community. In the UK as well, Aga Khanis by virtue of their leader's arrangement, are entitled to larger amount of loans at lower cost than the general public. So they are a community that shares and cares. They are big hoteliers, run care homes, pharmacies etc. Aga Khan is not just a spiritual leader but an entrepreneur, an environmentalist, a philanthropist, very conscious of their social responsibilities.
Aga Khanis don't care about their leaders personal life. To them, he is a guru. He was laid to rest at Aga Khan mausoleum, in Aswan, Egypt, on Feb 9 at a private ceremony.
Son named successor
Rahim al-Hussaini has been named the new Aga Khan. The new Aga Khan V was designated in his father’s will “in accordance with historical Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim tradition and practice,” the community said on its website.
