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PROFILE: Who was The Aga Khan IV, the fallen spiritual leader, businessman and philanthropist

The Late Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, died Tuesday, February 04, 2025 (photo/File)

His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, passed away in Lisbon at the age of 88.

The Aga Khan Development Network, which he founded, said in a post on X, ‘His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims 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.’

In a statement, the leaders and staff of the Aga Khan Development Network expressed their condolences to his family and the global Ismaili community.

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‘As we honour the legacy of our founder, Prince Karim Aga Khan, we continue to work with our partners to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities across the world, as he wished, irrespective of their religious affiliations or origins,’ the statement read.

But Who was The Aga Khan?

Museveni shakes hands with His Highness The Aga Khan during the 55th independence anniversary at Bushenyi-Ishaka grounds in Bushenyi District, western region on October 9, 2017.

Born on December 13, 1936, in Creux-de-Genthod, near Geneva, Switzerland, Khan was the son of Joan Yarde-Buller and Aly Khan. He spent part of his childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, according to the Ismaili community’s website.

Now survived by three sons and a daughter and several grandchildren, Khan will be buried in Lisbon.

Khan had left Harvard University to be by his ailing grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan’s side, and later succeeded him at the age of 20, as Imam of the Ismaili Muslims in 1957.

He returned to school 18 months later with an entourage and a deep sense of responsibility, as described by the Associated Press report.

Treated as a head of state, the Aga Khan was given the title of “His Highness” by Queen Elizabeth in July that year, two weeks after his grandfather unexpectedly made him heir to the family’s 1,300-year dynasty as leader of the Ismaili Muslim sect, AP reported.

A spiritual leader

As a spiritual leader, Khan advocated for Islam as a thinking, spiritual faith – one that teaches compassion and tolerance and that upholds human dignity, the AKDN website highlighted.

He was regarded as a builder of bridges between Muslim societies and the West despite — or perhaps because of — his reticence to become involved in politics, the AP report noted.

The Ismailis, a Muslim sect, are a global, multi-ethnic community whose members, comprising a diversity of cultures, languages and nationalities, live in Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and North America.

A philanthropist

Then Indian President Pranab Mukherjee confers the Padma Vibhushan to the Aga Khan in 2015. (AP Photo)

Khan’s charitable work includes setting up of healthcare, educational and cultural projects, within the larger body of AKDN, which is based in Switzerland.

To name a few, the development agencies include the Aga Khan Health Services, Aga Khan Schools, the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance, the Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat as well as two universities, the Aga Khan University and the University of Central Asia.

The Network works in over 30 countries and has an annual budget of about $1 billion for such nonprofit development activities.

Khan had received numerous awards and honorary degrees from across the world, in recognition of his “exceptional efforts and contributions to human development and improving the social condition of societies globally,” as per the website.

In 2017, His Highness The Aga Khan was awarded ‘Most Excellent Order of Pearl of Africa, the Grandmaster’ in recognition of his decades of work and contribution to Uganda’s development.

By the time of his passing, the Aga Khan’s legacy had become woven into the fabric of nations, notably in Kenya, where his name is etched into institutions that continue to uplift lives. 

The Aga Khan Schools, The Aga Khan University Hospital, and its satellite facilities stand as testament to his commitment to excellence and service. Through the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), he championed sustainable progress, always guided by his ethos: “AKFED does seek to generate profits, but they are entirely reinvested in future development initiatives.”

The Network (AKDN) also remains a beacon of his vision, playing a major role in sectors ranging from health, education, and culture to rural development and economic empowerment.

The Group’s presence in Kenya is deeply felt through investments in Nation Media Group Plc, Industrial Promotion Services (Kenya) Ltd, Allpack Industries Ltd, Farmer’s Choice Ltd, Premier Food Industries Ltd, and Tourism Promotion Services Eastern Africa Ltd, among others.

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