{"id":2731,"date":"2025-02-10T16:38:53","date_gmt":"2025-02-10T11:38:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/khowari.com\/?p=2731"},"modified":"2025-05-10T13:18:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-10T08:18:25","slug":"4th-february-2025-prince-karim-aga-khan-spiritual-leader-of-ismaili-muslims-passes-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/khowari.com\/?p=2731","title":{"rendered":"4th February 2025: Prince Karim Aga Khan Passes Away, Prince Rahim Aga Khan Named as Ismaili Imam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Report by Khowari<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Shia Muslim community and known for his development work around the world, passed away<\/a> in Lisbon, Portugal aged 88.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Karim Aga Khan, also known as Maulana Shah Karim Al-Husaini by his followers, was the 49th hereditary Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims. He is survived by three sons and a daughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prince Karim Ag Khan<\/a> was born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva and spent his early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya. He later returned to Switzerland, attending the exclusive Le Rosey School before going to the United States to study Islamic history at Harvard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Read: 1987: Prince Karim Aga Khan\u2019s visit to Chitral<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When his grandfather Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III died in 1957, he became the imam of the Ismaili Muslims, a branch of Shia Islam, at the age of 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is believed by Ismailis to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) through the prophet\u2019s cousin and son-in-law, Ali, and his wife Fatima, the prophet\u2019s daughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ismaili Volunteers carry the janaza (casket) of Mawlana Shah Karim into the funeral hall.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Members of the Aga Khan IV’s family heading towards the masoleum in Aswan, Egypt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Casket of Aga Khan IV being taken to the resting place in Aswan, Egypt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The final sight of the casket before the burial<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Aga Khan IV was a defender of Islamic culture and values and was widely regarded as a builder of bridges between Muslim societies and the West despite his reticence to become involved with politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was widely revered internationally by various communities and leaders for his services to the humanity, and held British, French, Swiss, and Portuguese citizenship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Read: May 2024: Princess Zahra Aga Khan Visits Chitral<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), his main philanthropic organisation, deals principally with healthcare, housing, education, and rural economic development. It claims to work in more than 30 countries, employing 96,000 people and has an annual budget of about $1bn for development activities. It helps to build schools and hospitals in the poorest parts of Africa and Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, a home to nearly a million Ismailis, received his generous contribution in the form of health care, schools and rural development. His services raised the quality of life of both Ismailis and the communities among whom they live in these remote and marginalized areas.<\/p>\n\n\n

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With profound sadness, the Jamat is informed that our beloved 49th hereditary Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, passed peacefully to Almighty Allah\u2019s grace on 4 February 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family. Visit https:\/\/t.co\/v5hpIQ7HI1<\/a> for more information. pic.twitter.com\/STvmNiPses<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Ismaili (@TheIsmaili) February 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n