Prince Karim Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, passed away at 88. His son, Prince Rahim Aga Khan, succeeds him as the 50th Imam, continuing his legacy.
The Ismaili community’s spiritual leader Prince Karim Aga Khan passed away, at the age of 88. He was the Molana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Ismaili community’s 49th spiritual head.
Prince Karim Aga Khan passed away in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, on February 4, according to the Aga Khan network. Prince Karim’s three sons, Hussain Aga Khan, Ali Muhammad Aga Khan, and Rahim Aga Khan, as well as his daughter, Zahra Aga Khan, are among those in mourning.
In 1936, Prince Karim Aga Khan was born. He assumed responsibility as the 49th spiritual head of the Ismaili community from 1957 until 2025, when he was 20 years old.
We have lost a friend of Pakistan and of humanity, which is sad news for Pakistan. I am referring to the Ismaili community’s spiritual head, Prince Karim Aga Khan. As we can see, he is highly valued for private development worldwide.
He founded the Aga Khan Development Network and serves as its chairman. In 1957, Prince Karim Aga Khan was proclaimed the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community; after that, we witnessed Ashian forcibly with Uganda, petroleum politics in Central Asia, and petroleum politics in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India.
This development network was established to improve the health and education of underserved areas, whether it be for the Ismaili Muslims, who number 12 million. It was not limited to the Ismaili community; in fact, it touched all underprivileged populations worldwide.
When it comes to Pakistan, Prince Karim Aga Khan has also made an effort to assist the country. This is where the Aga Khan Development Network is most engaged. They strive to reduce poverty, particularly by fostering economic development in historic locations and enhancing people’s abilities, whether via hospitality or other means.
The Aga Khan Development Network, often known as the Aga Khan Hospital or the Aga Khan Education Network, has become a standard in and of itself. Aga Khan Prince Karim Aga Khan intended to establish a liberal arts institution in Pakistan in addition to providing the undeniable services of Aga Khan institution Hospital.
Prince Karim Aga Khan received the coveted Nishan-i-Pakistan and Nishan-i-Imtiaz awards from the Pakistani government. Among the highest civil orders are these. When we learn today that he died at the age of 88, it leaves a great void in the world.
He was able to advise a great number of people with his expertise, therefore there is no second view on this. Whether you are a member of his community or not makes no difference in this; he undoubtedly had a beneficial influence on our lives.
More than 200 organisations and agencies now operate in Pakistan because to Aga Khan’s extensive network. He was among Pakistan’s wealthiest individuals. His organisation, the Aga Khan Development Network, has an annual budget of around US$600 billion, making it the largest private development network in the world.
The 50th spiritual head was appointed in accordance with Ismaili customs, according to the Aga Khan Development Network. According to the historical Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim tradition and mass practice, Mawlana Shah Karim has named Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
After Mawlana Shah Karim’s Will was read, the announcement was made in Lisbon on February 5, 2025, in front of the Imam’s family and prominent Jamati officials.
In an uninterrupted line of succession from Hazrat Mawlana Ali (peace be upon him), our 50th Imam, Mawlana Shah Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, is the heir apparent to the Nur of Imamat.
The eldest son of Prince Karim Aga Khan and Princess Salimah Aga Khan, his second marriage, is Prince Rahim Aga Khan. He was born in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 12, 1971.
Prince Rahim attended various prominent schools and institutions. First in the United States and then in Europe, he continued his education. The 50th spiritual leader of Ismaili community prince Rahim’s interest is to enhance his father’s mission for the betterment of the Ismaili community.
Prince Karim Aga Khan undoubtedly contributed to Pakistan’s growth, and the Ismaili community is regarded as one of the most organised, dedicated, and advanced in the world. Prince Karim Aga Khan is known for his vision, speeches, and outstanding and remarkable leadership.
It was a depressing day for the entire globe, not just the Ismaili community.
