The Aga Khan Development Network employs approximately 96,000 people and funds development programs, primarily in Asia and Africa. He passed away peacefully in Lisbon, surrounded by his family.
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Aga Khan IV, Spiritual Leader of Ismaili Muslims, Dies at 88
The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community, has passed away peacefully at the age of 88 in Lisbon, his foundation announced on Tuesday.
"His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), passed away peacefully in Lisbon on February 4, 2025, surrounded by his family," the Aga Khan Foundation shared on social media.
The foundation also stated that an announcement regarding his designated successor would follow, marking the appointment of only the fifth leader since the 19th century.
Who Was the Aga Khan?
Regarded by his followers as a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, Aga Khan IV became the Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community at just 20 years old while studying at Harvard University. He dedicated his vast financial resources—amassed largely through tithes—to building homes, hospitals, and schools in developing nations.
The Ismaili community, a branch of Shia Islam, is estimated to have 12 to 15 million followers, primarily in Central and South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. According to the community's official website, the Ismaili leadership is based in Lisbon, where a significant community also resides.
Although a prominent religious figure, the Aga Khan was known for his reluctance to engage publicly on Middle East conflicts, religious extremism, or Sunni-Shiite tensions. He also held both British and Portuguese citizenship.
Global Reactions
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his condolences, stating he was "deeply saddened" by the news and calling the Aga Khan "a symbol of peace, tolerance, and compassion in our troubled world."
Nobel laureate and education activist Malala Yousafzai also paid tribute, saying his legacy would "live on through the incredible work he led for education, health, and development around the world."
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