The Aga Khan, pictured at The London Conference on Afghanistan in 2014, was the spiritual leader of the world's Ismaili Muslims. Photo / Patrick Tsui, FCO
The Aga Khan, pictured at The London Conference on Afghanistan in 2014, was the spiritual leader of the world's Ismaili Muslims. Photo / Patrick Tsui, FCO
The Aga Khan, imam of the Ismaili Muslims and head of a major development aid foundation, has died in Lisbon, Portugal at the age of 88, his foundation announced.
“His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia IsmailiMuslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), passed away peacefully in Lisbon on 4 February 2025, aged 88, surrounded by his family,” the Aga Khan Development Network said.
“The announcement of his designated successor will follow,” the foundation added in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Present in multiple countries, notably in central and southern Asia, Africa and the Middle East, the Ismaili community numbers 12 to 15 million, according to its website.
The Aga Khan was the founder and president of his eponymous foundation, which employs 96,000 people and finances development programmes, especially in Asia and Africa.
He was treated as a head of state and given the title of “His Highness” by Queen Elizabeth in July 1957, The Guardian reported.
“He became the Aga Khan IV on 19 October 1957, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on the spot where his grandfather once had his weight equalled in diamonds in gifts from his followers.”
