GUWAHATI: Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, widely known as Aga Khan IV and the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims, passed away on Wednesday in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of 88. His death was confirmed by the Aga Khan Development Network and the Ismaili religious community, who stated that he was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing.
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Aga Khan IV assumed leadership of the Ismaili Muslim community at the age of 20 while still an undergraduate at Harvard University. Under his guidance, he directed substantial financial resources generated through tithes from his followers toward humanitarian initiatives, including the construction of homes, hospitals, and schools in developing nations.
The Ismaili community, originally based in India, has since expanded across East Africa, as well as Central, South, and West Asia. Its members traditionally contribute up to 12.5% of their income as religious dues. The Aga Khan title dates back to the 19th century, when Aga Khan I (Shah Hassan Ali) emerged as a key leader in Iran and later in the Indian subcontinent, eventually settling in Bombay, where he passed away in 1881.
Aga Khan IV was chosen as the 49th hereditary imam by his grandfather, who bypassed his own son in favour of a younger successor. He believed that the community should be led by someone raised in modern times.
Over the decades, Aga Khan IV became both a spiritual leader and a global philanthropist, seamlessly balancing religious leadership with business and development efforts. His primary charitable organization, the Aga Khan Development Network, has played a crucial role in healthcare, education, housing, and rural development. Hospitals bearing his name have been established in underserved regions such as Bangladesh, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, providing essential medical services to disadvantaged communities.