Leader of the Ismaili community, Prince Karim Aga Khan passes away in Lisbon

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Prince Karim Aga Khan passes away in Lisbon

Spiritual leader and philanthropist Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, leader of the Ismaili community around the world, passed away on Wednesday in Lisbon, Portugal. He was 88.

"With profound sadness, the Jamat is informed that our beloved 49th hereditary Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, passed peacefully to Almighty Allah's grace on 4 February 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family," said an official statement released by the community.

He was the 49th Imam of the Ismaili community. According to tradition, his successor was named. The community leader had named his successor in his will, added the statement. His will will be read in the presence of his family members and senior members of the community.

His funeral prayers will be offered in Lisbon, according to the statement. Time of the funeral will be announced later, said the statement. He is survived by three sons and a daughter.

Prince Karim Aga Khan was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network.

Aga Khan became the head of the Ismaili community on July 11, 1957, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, at the age of 20. Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah was the first president of the Pakistan Muslim League.

The Ismailis live in over 25 different countries, mainly in Central and South Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as in Europe, North America and Australia.


 

PM Shehbaz, others mourn passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan​


Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan, praising his visionary leadership, faith, and generosity.

In a post on his X handle, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Aga Khan’s enduring legacy, which transcended borders and brought hope and progress to countless communities in need.

He described Prince Karim Aga Khan as a remarkable leader devoted to uplifting communities worldwide.

Through his tireless work in poverty alleviation, healthcare, and gender equality, he championed the cause of marginalized groups, leaving a lasting impact on millions of lives.

Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani also extended his condolences, calling Prince Karim Aga Khan a great humanitarian dedicated to peace and humanity.

In his condolence message, he acknowledged Aga Khan’s lifelong commitment to social welfare, particularly in education and healthcare. His numerous initiatives for underprivileged and middle-class communities have benefited millions and will be remembered as part of his enduring legacy.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar expressed deep sadness over the passing of Aga Khan, highlighting his immense philanthropic contributions globally.

In a message on X, Dar emphasised the Aga Khan's special bond with Pakistan and his unmatched role in the nation's development.

"His unwavering commitment to improving communities worldwide leaves an indelible legacy," Dar wrote, adding that Pakistan would forever cherish his contributions. He extended heartfelt condolences to the Aga Khan’s family and the Ismaili community.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also shared his sorrow on X, praising the Aga Khan as a symbol of peace, tolerance, and compassion. Guterres conveyed condolences to the Aga Khan’s family and the global Ismaili community.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed admiration for the Aga Khan's lifelong dedication to promoting peace and prosperity.

Trudeau described him as a visionary leader who worked tirelessly across cultures and continents to address global challenges such as poverty, education, and gender inequality.

“He was a man of extraordinary vision, faith, and generosity, and his legacy will live on,” Trudeau wrote.

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai shared her sentiments, acknowledging the Aga Khan's lasting impact on education, health, and development. “His legacy will continue through the incredible work he led,” she stated.

Other leaders, including former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, ex-Foreign Minister John Baird, and New Democrat Party leader Jagmeet Singh, also expressed their grief.

Kenya's President William Samoei Ruto praised the Aga Khan as an extraordinary leader who went beyond expectations to assist vulnerable communities, highlighting his remarkable contributions.

 
Pakistan declares one-day mourning over Prince Karim Aga Khan’s death

The government of Pakistan has declared a national day of mourning on February 8, following the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community.

Expressing deep sorrow and grief over his demise, the government issued a statement acknowledging his contributions to humanitarian work and development efforts worldwide.

On the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the national flag will fly at half-mast across the country on February 8 as a mark of respect. A formal notification in this regard has been issued by the Cabinet Division.

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV - the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community and a globally respected philanthropist - passed away in Lisbon at the age of 88, the Aga Khan Development Network announced on Tuesday.

“With profound sadness, the Jamat is informed that our beloved 49th hereditary Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, passed peacefully to Almighty Allah’s grace on February 4, 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family,” the statement read.

In keeping with Ismaili tradition, the announcement of his successor will be made after the reading of his will in the presence of his family and senior community members.

Born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Prince Karim Aga Khan assumed the role of Imam of the Ismaili community on July 11, 1957, at the age of 20, following the passing of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.

He led the global Ismaili community for nearly seven decades, advocating for social progress, education, and economic development across Asia, Africa, and beyond.

The same day, the Aga Khan Development Network announced in a statement that Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini was designated the 50th hereditary Imam, or spiritual head, of the Shia Ismaili Muslims after the will of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, was unsealed.

Prince Rahim was born on October 12, 1971, the eldest son of the late Aga Khan IV and his first wife, Princess Salimah, née Sarah Croker Poole, a British former model. Together, the couple had two sons and a daughter.

As the chairman of the AKDN's Environment and Climate Committee, Prince Rahim has closely followed the activities of the Institute of Ismaili Studies and the social governance organisations of the Ismaili community. He also serves on the boards of other Aga Khan Development Network entities.



https://www.samaa.tv/2087328569-pak...y-mourning-over-prince-karim-aga-khan-s-death
 
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Rest in peace. Tremendous respect for this man for his efforts for the impoverished around the world.

Created a skilled women workforce in pakistan. AKUH karachi is top notch.

He bought gwadar from oman and gifted to pakistan. Enough said.
 
President Zardari leaves for Lisbon to condole over death of Prince Karim Aga Khan

President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday left for Lisbon, Portugal to condole over the death of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.

The President will meet His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan to extend his condolences on the passing of his father.

According to a statement issued by the President House, Asif Ali Zardari will also meet President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community and philanthropist, passed away in Lisbon on Tuesday. He was 88.

Prince Karim Aga Khan was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network.

The Aga Khan, who inherited his title of the 49th Imam of the Ismaili community in 1957 at the age of 20, was believed to have been worth over £11bn at the time of his death.

He was born in Switzerland and spent much of his later life in France, although he had British citizenship.

He was an old friend of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who had bestowed on him the title of His Highness when he became the leader of the Ismaili Muslims.

 
Prince Rahim becomes the new Aga Khan

Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V, the new imam of Ismaili Muslims, has urged his followers to take action to protect climate.

Prince Rahim, who formally assumed the mantle as the 50th hereditary Imam of Ismaili Muslims at the Takht Nashini ceremony in Lisbon on Tuesday, pledged to “dedicate [his] life” to the well-being of his community.

Prince Rahim succeeded his father, Prince Karim al-Hussaini, who passed away last week.

The ceremony of Takht Nashini, a Persian term meaning ascension to the throne, officially marks the start of the new imam’s reign.

Leaders of the Ismaili community attended Tuesday’s ceremony, which was also broadcast live at community centres worldwide, including Pakistan, according to a statement issued by the imamat.

During the ceremony, Prince Rahim accepted pledges of allegiance made on behalf of the community by the chairpersons of the Ismaili Leaders International Forum (LIF) and presidents of Ismaili Councils in every country.

The LIF leaders pledged their love, devotion and dedication to the new imam and vowed support for his endeavours.

Each Ismaili Council president then submitted an oath of allegiance to the new imam on behalf of their jurisdictions.

Prince Rahim also signed a constitutional instrument in his name as ‘Imam-of-the-Time’. It confirmed that the instrument will continue to apply to Ismaili Muslims all over the world.

He then delivered his Farman Mubarak to assembled leaders and followers worldwide and accepted the pledges.

He paid tribute to his late father and thanked his family for their presence and support.

The new imam outlined his priorities for the community and spoke of the principles of the Ismaili Muslim faith, the importance of balancing worldly and spiritual matters, and the regular practice of the faith.

He urged his followers to lead by example in matters related to climate change and be loyal citizens of their countries.

Born on October 12, 1971, the US-educated, Swiss-based Prince Rahim is the eldest son of the Aga Khan IV. He has served on the boards of many agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network and chairs its Environment and Climate Committee.

“Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V was today named the 50th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, following the unsealing of the Will of his late father, Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who died in Lisbon, Portugal yesterday, aged 88,” said an official statement announcing the succession.

As a testament to his services to Pakistan, Prince Rahim was conferred with the nation’s highest civilian award, Nishan-i-Pakistan, by President Asif Ali Zardari last year. During his visit, Prince Rahim also inaugurated the new Software Technology Park in Nasirabad, Hunza, home to a large population of Ismaili Muslims. He also launched two renewable energy projects, Duiker Solar Power Plant Phase-II and Nasirabad Solar Power Plant, to address power woes of people in the region.

DAWN NEWS
 
As a testament to his services to Pakistan, Prince Rahim was conferred with the nation’s highest civilian award, Nishan-i-Pakistan, by President Asif Ali Zardari last year. During his visit, Prince Rahim also inaugurated the new Software Technology Park in Nasirabad, Hunza, home to a large population of Ismaili Muslims. He also launched two renewable energy projects, Duiker Solar Power Plant Phase-II and Nasirabad Solar Power Plant, to address power woes of people in the region
From his great-grandfather, his father, this man too, bodes well for pakistan.

With no favors in return, or meddling in internal politics.

Working across the aisle. For humanity only.
 
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