Spiritual leader the Aga Khan dies aged 88
The Aga Khan, renowned for his success in horse racing, dazzling wealth and rural economic development, has died in Lisbon at the age of 88. His death was announced by the Aga Khan Foundation on Wednesday morning. The 49th hereditary imam, spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Ismaili Muslims, was synonymous with success as a racehorse owner, with the thoroughbred Shergar among his most famous. The Aga Khan's charities ran hundreds of hospitals, educational and cultural projects, largely in the developing world. The Aga Khan Development Network said the announcement of his successor "will follow". "Leaders and staff of the Aga Khan Development Network offer our condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide," it said. "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 network serves millions of people in 29 countries and aims to bring a wider understanding of Islam, and to foster a brotherhood within the Ummah. As one of the first museums of Islamic art in North America, the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada, helps deepen understanding and knowledge exchange between cultures and faiths. In 1977, the Aga Khan established the US$1 million Aga Khan Award for Architecture awarded every three years to projects that are judged to set new standards of excellence while addressing the needs of communities in which Muslims or Islamic heritage have a significant presence. Its 13th cycle was held in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, in 2016. In 2017, under the mentorship of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, a new education initiative, the Young Architects and Design Programme was established in partnership with Alserkal Avenue. The following year, the Aga Khan visited the Emirates as part of a diamond jubilee tour marking 60 years as spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community, where he was received by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, The Aga Khan Award for Architecture has documented thousands of projects, including Jean Nouvel's Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, the Azem Palace in Damascus, Louis Khan's National Assembly Building in Dhaka, and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur. In 2019, Sharjah's Wasit Wetland Centre was named a winner of the award, with Concrete in Alserkal Avenue and Al Mureijah Art Spaces at the Sharjah Art Foundation also nominated. The restored Flying Saucer in Sharjah was also shortlisted in 2022.
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