Aga Khan, leader of Ismaili Muslims, dies aged 88

The recent passing of Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, known as the Aga Khan IV, marks a significant moment in both religious and cultural history. The Aga Khan, who served as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, died peacefully in Lisbon on February 4, 2025, at the age of 88. His leadership was characterized by a commitment to social development and humanitarian efforts through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which has played a pivotal role in improving living conditions across various regions globally.

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims around the world, has died at 88.

A statement from his central philanthropic organization said he died "peacefully" in Lisbon on Tuesday.

"Leaders and staff of the Aga Khan Development Network offer our condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide," read the statement from the network.

The Aga Khan charities run hundreds of hospitals, educational and cultural projects, mainly for di developing world.

E enjoy rich lifestyle, with private island in di Bahamas, a super-yacht and a private jet.

The Aga Khan Development Network say dem offer dia "condolences to di family of His Highness and to di Ismaili community worldwide".

The Ismailis belong to a sect of Shia Islam that emerged from Persia and whose leadership fled to British-controlled India in the 19th century, where the group was revitalized. The group’s followers, inspired by successive leaders who trace their origins to the Prophet Muhammad, spread from their Asian roots to Africa, where they prospered as traders and professionals.

The Aga Khan was the top Ismaili spiritual authority, but also a globe-hopping statesman and very much a man of the material world, reportedly worth billions of dollars. He lived a life of luxury as the owner of palatial homes, yachts and a Bombardier business jet, as an investor in business ventures around the world and as the proprietor of the Aga Khan Studs, one of the world’s leading breeders of thoroughbred horses. And his relationships – he married and divorced twice – were often the stuff of the celebrity press.

he Aga Khan also held British and Portuguese citizenship. The Ismaili leadership is based in Lisbon, where there is a significant community.

Despite his role as the spiritual head of the Ismaili Muslims, he was reluctant to discuss Middle East conflicts, religious fundamentalism or Sunni-Shiite tensions.

Islam is not a faith “of conflict or social disorder, it’s a religion of peace,” he told AFP in 2017.

As the Ismaili community mourns the loss of its leader, attention now turns to identifying his successor. The transition is critical as it will determine the future direction of Ismaili leadership and continue the work initiated by the late Aga Khan . The impact of his contributions to both faith-based initiatives and broader societal issues underscores how individual leadership can shape communities worldwide.

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Sarah H

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