Prince Rahim Aga Khan V accedes as 50th imam
LISBON:
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V formally acceded as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community in a historic ceremony held at The Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon, Portugal.
The event, attended by global leaders of the Ismaili community, marked the official transition of leadership following the passing of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
During the ceremony, Ismaili leaders from around the world pledged spiritual allegiance to the new Imam on behalf of the global Ismaili community.
The momentous occasion was livestreamed in Jamatkhanas (places of gathering) across more than 35 countries, allowing Ismailis worldwide to participate virtually.
In his address, Aga Khan V paid tribute to his late father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, and expressed gratitude to his family for their support.
He also thanked the governments of Portugal and Egypt for their recognition of his father's contributions and for facilitating dignified funeral arrangements.
Speaking to the international community for the first time as their Imam, Aga Khan V pledged to dedicate his life to care for the spiritual and material well-being of the Ismaili Jamat.
He underscored the core principles of the Ismaili Muslim faith, stressing the importance of maintaining a balance between spiritual and worldly responsibilities.
His message centred on universal values of peace, tolerance, inclusion and humanitarian service, urging his followers to actively contribute to the societies in which they live.
He also called upon the Ismaili community to take a leadership role in addressing climate change, stressing the need for environmental responsibility.
Having been deeply involved in the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for decades, Aga Khan V pledged to continue fostering stability while embracing measured change.
He reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining strong partnerships with governments and international organisations, following in his father's footsteps to promote peace, stability and sustainable development.
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Express Tribune
12-02-2025
- Express Tribune
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V accedes as 50th imam
LISBON: Prince Rahim Aga Khan V formally acceded as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community in a historic ceremony held at The Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon, Portugal. The event, attended by global leaders of the Ismaili community, marked the official transition of leadership following the passing of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. During the ceremony, Ismaili leaders from around the world pledged spiritual allegiance to the new Imam on behalf of the global Ismaili community. The momentous occasion was livestreamed in Jamatkhanas (places of gathering) across more than 35 countries, allowing Ismailis worldwide to participate virtually. In his address, Aga Khan V paid tribute to his late father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, and expressed gratitude to his family for their support. He also thanked the governments of Portugal and Egypt for their recognition of his father's contributions and for facilitating dignified funeral arrangements. Speaking to the international community for the first time as their Imam, Aga Khan V pledged to dedicate his life to care for the spiritual and material well-being of the Ismaili Jamat. He underscored the core principles of the Ismaili Muslim faith, stressing the importance of maintaining a balance between spiritual and worldly responsibilities. His message centred on universal values of peace, tolerance, inclusion and humanitarian service, urging his followers to actively contribute to the societies in which they live. He also called upon the Ismaili community to take a leadership role in addressing climate change, stressing the need for environmental responsibility. Having been deeply involved in the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for decades, Aga Khan V pledged to continue fostering stability while embracing measured change. He reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining strong partnerships with governments and international organisations, following in his father's footsteps to promote peace, stability and sustainable development.
Express Tribune
10-02-2025
- Express Tribune
Why was Aga Khan IV laid to rest in Egypt's Aswan?"
Listen to article Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, was laid to rest in Aswan, Egypt, on Sunday during a private ceremony. His death, which was announced on February 4, 2025, at the age of 88, has left the global Ismaili Muslim community in mourning. He was laid to rest in Aswan in accordance with his last wish. Early life and legacy of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was born in Geneva, Switzerland, to Prince Aly Khan and Joan Yarde-Buller. His early years were spent in Nairobi, Kenya, before he attended the prestigious Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland. At the age of 20, he inherited the title of Aga Khan following the passing of his grandfather, Aga Khan III, a transition that bypassed his father, Prince Aly Khan, and his uncle, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, who were in direct line to succession. After becoming Imam, he went on to graduate from Harvard University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Throughout his life, Prince Karim held multiple nationalities, including British, French, Swiss, Portuguese, and honorary Canadian citizenship. Over the course of his life, Prince Karim founded the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), an organization he established over 50 years ago to promote humanitarian development across multiple sectors. His leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including distinctions of honor from France, Portugal, Kenya, Canada, the United Kingdom, Iran, India, Pakistan, and Senegal. He was the recipient of 44 international awards, among them the UN Champion for Global Change Award, and 24 honorary degrees from renowned institutions like Cambridge, Harvard, and McGill. Why the Aga Khan chose Egypt as his resting place In a deeply personal decision, the Aga Khan IV requested to be buried in Egypt, near his grandfather, Sultan Muhammad Shah, the 48th Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, and his grandmother, Om Habiba. The burial site, in the southern province of Aswan , was chosen due to its historical significance for the Aga Khan family. Sultan Muhammad Shah, a pivotal figure in Ismaili history, passed away in 1957, and his presence near the sacred Nile River has long been revered. The decision to honor his family's Egyptian roots reflects the Aga Khan's deep connection to the land that has played a central role in shaping his family's spiritual and cultural identity. Private funeral service and global tributes The funeral service held in Lisbon on Saturday, February 9, 2025, was attended by international dignitaries, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Spain's King Emeritus Juan Carlos, and Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The Ismaili community in Lisbon joined in paying tribute to the late Aga Khan, marking his passing with profound reverence. A procession to honor the Imam followed the ceremony, with his body being transported draped in a white shroud through Lisbon. It was then flown to Egypt, where it was met by his family at the Aswan airport on Saturday, before the final journey to his burial site. Mourners carried the body to the banks of the Nile, where it was placed aboard a yacht that sailed the river in a symbolic farewell to his spiritual journey. The Aga Khan IV's lifelong contributions The Aga Khan IV's leadership was marked by a seamless blending of spiritual guidance and philanthropic impact. As a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, he was regarded not only as the religious leader of the Ismaili Muslims but also as a visionary philanthropist and bridge-builder between the Islamic world and the West. His contributions through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) spanned healthcare, education, rural development, and poverty alleviation, benefiting millions across more than 30 countries. The Aga Khan's efforts to strengthen the cultural and social fabric of Muslim communities while also fostering understanding with the wider world were unparalleled. His strategic leadership and deep sense of responsibility to his community were instrumental in raising the profile of Ismaili Muslims and their role in both the spiritual and global arenas. The Aga Khan's connection to Egypt The choice of Aswan for Aga Khan IV's final resting place holds great significance. It pays homage to the Fatimid dynasty, from which the Ismaili Imams trace their lineage. The Fatimids ruled North Africa in the 10th century and later moved their capital to Cairo in 969 CE. Under their rule, Egypt flourished as a beacon of knowledge, commerce, and religious diversity. The Fatimids' cultural contributions have had a lasting influence, with Al-Azhar University — founded by the dynasty — remaining a premier institution for Islamic scholarship. The Aga Khan IV, acknowledging this heritage, was also instrumental in revitalizing historic Cairo. Through the Al-Azhar Park project, he transformed a 30-hectare mound of rubble into a lush public green space, providing both recreation and a symbol of Cairo's urban renewal. With the burial of Aga Khan IV in Aswan, Egypt now holds the mausoleums of two Ismaili spiritual leaders. Aga Khan III's mausoleum in Aswan The Aga Khan Mausoleum, located just 2.5 miles from the Aswan Train Station, is a place of deep historical significance. Built by Muhammad Shah, the Aga Khan III — the 48th Imam of the Ismaili community. Aga Khan III, who suffered from rheumatism and bone pain, first visited Aswan in 1954 in search of relief from his ailments. After experiencing a miraculous recovery due to the region's therapeutic sands, he chose to make Aswan his winter home. The mausoleum, built from pink granite, is designed in a style reminiscent of the Fatimid tombs of Cairo. Located near the Monastery of St. Simeon on the West Bank of Aswan, it offers panoramic views of the Nile and the surrounding area. Aga Khan III was reburied in this mausoleum on February 20, 1959, two years after his death and initial burial in Switzerland. His wife, Begum Om Habibeh Aga Khan, continued to honor his memory by visiting the shrine, and after her passing in 2000, she was laid to rest beside him. The Aga Khan Mausoleum has since become a pilgrimage site for Ismaili followers worldwide, symbolizing the enduring bond between the Ismaili community and Egypt. Aga Khan V named as successor Following the passing of the Aga Khan IV, his son, Rahim Al-Hussaini, has been named the new Aga Khan V, in accordance with his father's will. At 53, Rahim steps into the role of spiritual leader for the global Ismaili Muslim community, continuing the legacy of his father's efforts to inspire and lead millions of followers worldwide. The transition to Aga Khan V represents both continuity and change. Rahim's leadership comes at a time when the Ismaili community, guided by his father's vision, is poised to continue its path of social progress and religious devotion. The Aga Khan's burial in Egypt stands as a lasting tribute to his family's long and storied connection to the region. The decision to rest beside his grandfather and grandmother—figures of immense importance to the Ismaili community—cements the spiritual and historical roots that the Aga Khan IV sought to preserve throughout his life.
Express Tribune
06-02-2025
- Express Tribune
Prince Karim Aga Khan's funeral to be held in Lisbon on Saturday
Listen to article The funeral of Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, will take place privately in Lisbon on Saturday, according to a representative of the Ismaili community. Prince Karim al-Husseini, aged 88, passed away on Tuesday, marking the end of his long tenure as the 49th Imam of the Nizari Ismailis, a branch of Shia Islam with millions of followers across Central and South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The funeral ceremony will be held at the Ismaili community center in central Lisbon, attended by several hundred guests. Naguib Kheraj, a senior adviser to the Ismaili community, confirmed that it would be a private and dignified event. "This is a private event, not a big public event… It will be short and dignified," Kheraj told reporters at a press conference on Thursday. Aga Khan IV established the global headquarters of the Ismaili community in Lisbon in 2015, making the city an important center for the community. Prince Karim's eldest son, 53-year-old Rahim al-Husseini, will succeed him as the new Aga Khan V. The official ceremony to mark the accession of the new imam will take place on Tuesday morning at the Ismaili community headquarters in Lisbon. This, too, will be a private ceremony to honor the succession of the new spiritual leader.
