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2mo ago

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

The renowned philanthropist and cultural bridge-builder led the Ismaili Muslim community for nearly seven decades, with a legacy of global development and interfaith dialogue.

King Charles III shakes hands with Aga Khan during a visit to the Ismaili Centre, in London, England, on its 25th anniversary on November 18, 2010.
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Overview

  • The Aga Khan IV, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, passed away on February 4, 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by family at the age of 88.
  • As the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, he assumed leadership in 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather while still a Harvard undergraduate.
  • His philanthropic organization, the Aga Khan Development Network, operates in over 30 countries, focusing on health care, education, housing, and economic development with an annual budget of approximately $1 billion.
  • He was instrumental in fostering pluralism and interfaith understanding, notably through initiatives like the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto and the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa.
  • The Aga Khan's successor, designated in his will, will be announced following a reading in Lisbon, though no specific date has been provided.