The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, has passed away at the age of 88. He was known for his vast philanthropy, his efforts to improve living conditions in Asia and Africa, and his role as a bridge between Muslim societies and the West.
The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the world's millions of Shia Ismailis, has died at the age of 88. His death was announced on Tuesday by his Aga Khan Development Network and the Ismaili religious community. The Aga Khan, whose real name was Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, passed away in Portugal surrounded by his family.
His successor has already been designated in his will, which will be read out in the presence of his family and senior religious leaders in Lisbon before the name is made public. A date for this reading has not yet been announced. According to the Ismaili community's website, the successor is chosen from among his male progeny or other relatives.Prince Karim Aga Khan IV became the spiritual leader at the age of 20 while a student at Harvard University. His grandfather, the Aga Khan III, had bypassed his father to make him the heir apparent, stating that his followers should be led by a young man 'who has been brought up in the midst of the new age.' Over the decades, the Aga Khan evolved into a renowned business magnate, seamlessly blending his spiritual role with his worldly pursuits. He was treated with the respect afforded to a head of state, receiving the title of “His Highness” from Queen Elizabeth in 1957. He officially became the Aga Khan IV on October 19, 1957, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This was the same location where his grandfather had once received gifts of diamonds from his followers, with their weight equal to his own. Prince Karim Aga Khan IV had left Harvard to be with his ailing grandfather and returned to school 18 months later, carrying with him a profound sense of duty. He was quoted in a 2012 interview as saying, 'I was an undergraduate who knew what his work for the rest of his life was going to be.' The Aga Khan was a dedicated philanthropist, known for his efforts to improve the quality of life in Asia and Africa. Through his Aga Khan Development Network, he focused on healthcare, housing, education, and rural economic development. This network operates in over 30 countries and boasts an annual budget of approximately $1 billion for non-profit development activities. The Aga Khan's legacy extends beyond his philanthropic endeavors. He was a passionate advocate for Islamic culture and was widely recognized for his ability to bridge the gap between Muslim societies and the West. He established an architecture prize and programs for Islamic Architecture at both MIT and Harvard, and he played a crucial role in the restoration of numerous ancient Islamic structures worldwide
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