
By Gorup de Besanez - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Shia Muslim community and recognized for his extensive development initiatives globally, has passed away in Lisbon at the age of 88.
As reported by the Aga Khan Development Network, an announcement regarding the appointment of a successor to Karim al-Husseini, as he was known, is expected to be made shortly. In accordance with Ismaili tradition, the successor will be selected from the Aga Khan’s male descendants.
The Aga Khan resided for a significant period in France and had been living in Portugal in recent years. His development network and foundation are headquartered in Switzerland. He will be interred in Lisbon. He is survived by three sons, a daughter, and several grandchildren.
Born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, he spent his early years in Nairobi, Kenya. He later returned to Switzerland, where he attended the prestigious Le Rosey School before pursuing studies in Islamic history at Harvard University.
Upon the death of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, in 1957, he ascended to the position of imam of the Ismaili Muslims, a sect of Shia Islam, at the young age of 20.
Aga Khan, a title derived from Turkish and Persian terms meaning “commanding chief,” is regarded by Ismailis as a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, and Ali’s wife, Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet.
He was recognized as a staunch advocate for Islamic culture and values, earning a reputation as a mediator between Muslim communities and Western societies, despite his reluctance to engage in political matters.
The Aga Khan led a life of considerable luxury, marked by private jets, superyachts, and ownership of a private island in the Bahamas. He held citizenship in several countries, including Britain, France, Switzerland, and Portugal.
His principal philanthropic organization, the Aga Khan Development Network, focuses on healthcare, housing, education, and rural economic development.
The organization claims to operate in over 30 countries, employing 96,000 individuals and managing an annual budget of approximately $1 billion for its development initiatives. It plays a significant role in establishing schools and hospitals in some of the most impoverished regions of Africa and Asia.