Aga Khan, Spiritual Leader of Ismaili Muslims, Dies at 88

Feb 5 – The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims worldwide, has passed away at the age of 88. He ascended to the position at just 20 years old while studying at Harvard University and spent his life dedicated to philanthropy, directing his vast fortune toward funding homes, hospitals, and schools in developing nations.

LISBON, Portugal (Feb. 6) – His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, passed away on Tuesday in Portugal, surrounded by his family. His death was announced by the Aga Khan Foundation and the Ismaili religious community, with details about his successor expected to be revealed later. He is survived by three sons and a daughter.

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV assumed leadership of the Ismaili Muslim community in 1957 at just 20 years old, following the wishes of his grandfather, Aga Khan III, who bypassed his own son to appoint a successor he believed was better suited to guide the faith in the modern era. Over his decades-long leadership, the Aga Khan became both a revered spiritual leader and a global philanthropist, directing vast resources to initiatives in healthcare, education, and economic development, particularly in underprivileged regions.

Recognized as a head of state, he was granted the title of "His Highness" by Queen Elizabeth II in July 1957, just weeks after assuming leadership. Balancing faith and enterprise, he led a vast network of institutions, including the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which works to improve living conditions in communities worldwide.

His passing marks the end of an era for the Ismaili community, leaving behind a profound legacy of humanitarian work and global influence.

Aga Khan IV, Spiritual Leader and Philanthropist, Dies at 88

LISBON, Portugal (Feb. 6) – His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, known as Aga Khan IV, passed away on Tuesday in Portugal, surrounded by his family. He was 88. His death was confirmed by the Aga Khan Foundation and the Ismaili religious community, with a successor announcement to follow.

Born on December 13, 1936, in Creux-de-Genthod, Switzerland, the Aga Khan IV became the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims at just 20 years old, succeeding his grandfather in 1957. His leadership began when he officially assumed the title in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, following his grandfather’s death. He had left Harvard University to care for his ailing grandfather and later returned to school with a sense of deep responsibility for his future work.

In an interview with Vanity Fair in 2012, he reflected on his transition to leadership: “I was an undergraduate who knew what his work for the rest of his life was going to be. I don’t think anyone in my situation would have been prepared.”

The Aga Khan's leadership transcended the religious sphere. As a staunch advocate of Islamic values, he built bridges between Muslim societies and the West, focusing on humanitarian initiatives and cultural preservation while staying largely removed from political affairs. Through his philanthropic organization, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), he worked to improve healthcare, housing, education, and rural economic development in underserved regions.

His significant contributions to healthcare include the establishment of hospitals in regions with limited access to medical care, such as Bangladesh, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. In addition, the Aga Khan dedicated substantial resources to strengthening local economies in these areas.

A patron of architecture, he founded the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture and supported the establishment of Islamic architecture programs at MIT and Harvard. His passion for cultural preservation led to the restoration of historic Islamic sites globally.

While the Aga Khan's exact birth details are not universally agreed upon, he is widely known for his vast wealth, which some reports estimate in the billions. His personal wealth was largely tied to the Ismaili community, who follow the tradition of tithe, contributing up to 10% of their income to him as their steward.

The Aga Khan often spoke about the responsibility that comes with privilege, stating in a 2012 Vanity Fair interview, “We have no notion of wealth accumulation 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.”

His passing marks the end of an era for the Ismaili community, leaving behind a lasting legacy of philanthropy, cultural preservation, and bridge-building between East and West.

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