His Highness Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims, no more

 

 

who became the spiritual leader of the world’s millions of Ismaili Muslims at the age of just 20 and who poured a material empire built on billions of dollars in tithes into building homes, hospitals and schools in developing countries, died on Tuesday. He was 88. His Aga Khan Development Network and the Ismaili religious community announced that His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV and 49th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, died student when his grandfather named him as successor to lead the diaspora of Shia Ismaili Muslims, passing over his playboy father and saying his followers should be led by a young man “who has been brought up in the midst of the new age.” Over decades, the Aga Khan evolved into a business magnate and a philanthropist, moving between the spiritual and the worldly with ease.

 

Ceremonies were being held on Tuesday in Ismaili communities in the US and others were held elsewhere in the world on Wednesday. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called him “a symbol of peace, tolerance and compassion in our troubled world.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called him a very good friend and “an extraordinarily compassionate global leader.” Condolences poured in online from charity groups he supported, as well as the equestrian world, where he was a well-known figure. The Aga Khan was given the title of “His Highness” by Queen Elizabeth in July 1957, two weeks after his grandfather the Aga Khan III unexpectedly made him heir to the family’s 1,300-year dynasty as leader of the Ismaili Muslim sect.

 

He became the Aga Khan IV on October 19, 1957, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on the spot where his grandfather once had his weight equaled in diamonds in gifts from his followers. He had left Harvard to be at his ailing grandfather’s side, and returned to school 18 months later with an entourage and a deep sense of responsibility. “I was an undergraduate who knew what his work for the rest of his life was going to be,” he said in a 2012 interview with ‘Vanity Fair’ magazine. “I don’t think anyone in my situation would have been prepared.” A defender of Islamic culture and values, he was widely regarded as a builder of bridges between Muslim societies and the West despite — or perhaps because of — his reticence to become involved in politics.

 

The Aga Khan Development Network, his main philanthropic organisation, deals mainly with issues of health care, housing, education and rural economic development. It says it works in over 30 countries and has an annual budget of about $1 billion for nonprofit development activities. The extent of the Aga Khan’s financial empire is hard to measure. Some reports estimated his personal wealth to be in the billions. 

 

 

RAHIM Al-Hussaini was named Wednesday as the new Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world’s millions of Ismaili Muslims. He was designated as the Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary imam of the Shiite Ismaili Muslims, in his father’s will. His father died Tuesday in Portugal. The Aga Khan is considered by his followers to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad and is treated as a head of State. The Aga Khan Development Network and the Ismaili religious community announced earlier that His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV and 49th hereditary imam of the Shiite Ismaili Muslims, died surrounded by his family.

 

It said his burial and will-reading will be held in the coming days, followed by an homage ceremony. The late Aga Khan was given the title of “His Highness” by Queen Elizabeth in July 1957, two weeks after his grandfather the Aga Khan III unexpectedly made him heir to the family’s 1,300-year dynasty as leader of the Ismaili Muslim sect.