Latest news with #IsmailiMuslims
AsiaOne
11-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
World reacts after India, Pakistan agree to stop firing, World News
NEW DELHI - US President Donald Trump said on Saturday (May 10) that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" after a fourth day of strikes and counter-strikes against each other's military installations. This is what global leaders have said about the latest development between the nuclear-armed neighbours: US President Donald Trump "After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a Full and immediate ceasefire. Congratulations to both countries on using common sense and great intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio "I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site. We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace." Bangladesh's Interim Leader Muhammad Yunus "I most sincerely commend Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of India and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan for agreeing to a ceasefire with immediate effect and to engage in talks. Bangladesh will continue to support our two neighbours to resolve differences through diplomacy." European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas [[nid:717859]] "The announced ceasefire between India and Pakistan is a vital step toward de-escalation. All efforts must be made to ensure it is respected. The EU remains committed to peace, stability, and counter-terrorism in the region." British Foreign Minister David Lammy "Today's ceasefire between India and Pakistan is hugely welcome. I urge both parties to sustain this. De-escalation is in everybody's interest." Saudi Arabia Foreign Affairs Ministry "The Foreign Ministry welcomes the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India, optimistic that it will restore security and peace in the region. The Kingdom commends both parties for prioritising wisdom and self-restraint and reaffirms its support for resolving disputes through dialogue and peaceful means." UN Secretary-general Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric "The Secretary-General welcomes the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan as a positive step toward ending current hostilities and easing tensions. He hopes the agreement will contribute to lasting peace and foster an environment conducive to addressing broader, longstanding issues between the two countries." Prince Rahim Al-hussaini, Spiritual Leader Of Ismaili Muslims "I am pleased to see that ceasefire has been agreed upon. I pray that both countries will work to resolve issues that date back to 1947 through dialogue and peaceful means."
The Guardian
10-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Letter: Aga Khan IV obituary
When the Aga Khan was studying at Harvard University in the late 1950s, he got to know Pierre Trudeau. In 1972, Asians were expelled from Uganda, and Trudeau, by now prime minister of Canada, agreed to his friend's request to allow thousands of Ismaili Muslims to go there. Since then, there have been prominent Ismailis in Canadian public life and letters, and some have had significant roles in standing up to political and social pressure from the opposite extremes of Islam. At both the magnificent Aga Khan Museum of Islamic Art in Toronto and the Ismaili Centre in Ottawa, friendly young Canadian Ismailis are happy to talk about the art as well as the sect and themselves, if you ask, but they never proselytise.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Who are Ismaili Muslims and how do their beliefs relate to the Aga Khan's work?
Prince Karim Aga Khan, who died on Feb. 4, 2025, served as the religious leader of Ismaili Muslims around the world since being appointed as the 49th hereditary imam in 1957. He came to be known around the world for his enormous work on global development issues and other philanthropic work. The Ismaili community considers the imam a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Ismaili Muslims are considered to be a branch of Shiite Islam. They constitute the second-largest community within the Shiite sect. An estimated 15 million Ismaili Muslims live in 35 countries, across all parts of the world. In the U.S., with around 40,000 Ismailis, Texas has the largest concentration of the community. As a scholar of Muslim philanthropy, I have long been impressed by the philanthropic and civic engagement of the Ismailis. Following the death of the Prophet in A.D. 632, differences emerged over who should have both political and spiritual control over the Muslim community. A majority chose Abu Bakr, one of the Prophet's closest companions, while a minority put their faith in his son-in-law and cousin, Ali. Those Muslims who put their faith in Abu Bakr came to be called Sunni, and those who believed in Ali came to be known as Shiite. Like other Shiite sects, Ismailis believe that Ali should have been selected as the successor of the Prophet Muhammad. They also believe that he should have been followed by Ali's two sons – the grandsons of Muhammad through his daughter Fatima. The key difference among other Shiites and Ismailis lies in their lineage of imams. While they agree with the first six imams, Ismailis believe that Imam Ismail ibn Jafar was the rightful person to be the seventh imam, while the majority of Shiites, known as Twelvers, believe that Imam Musa al-Kazim, Ismail's younger brother, was the true successor. They both agree that Ali was the first imam and on the next five imams, who are direct descendant of Ali and Fatima. The Ismaili sect split into two branches in 1094. Aga Khan was the leader of the Nizari branch, which believes in a living imam or leader. The second branch – Musta'lian Tayyibi Ismailis – believes that its 21st imam went into 'concealment'; in his physical absence, a vicegerent or 'da'i mutlaq' acts as an authority on his behalf. Like all Muslims, Ismailis believe that God sent his revelation to the Prophet Muhammad through Archangel Gabriel. However, they differ on other interpretations of the faith. According to the Ismailis, for example, the Quran conveys allegorical messages from God, and it is not the literal word of God. They also believe Muhammad to be the living embodiment of the Quran. Ismailis are strongly encouraged to pray three times a day, but it is not required. Ismailis believe in metaphorical, rather than literal, fasting. Ismailis believe that the esoteric meaning of fasting involves a fasting of the soul, whereby they attempt to purify the soul simply by avoiding sinful acts and doing good deeds. In terms of 'Zakat,' or charity – the third pillar of Islam, which Muslims are required to follow – Ismailis differ in two ways. They give it to the leader of their faith, Aga Khan, and believe that they have to give 12.5% of their income versus 2.5%. Ismaili history has a strong connection to pluralism – part of their philosophy of embracing difference. The Fatimid Empire that ruled over parts of North Africa and the Middle East from 909 to 1171 is said to have been a 'golden age of Ismaili thought.' It was a pluralistic community, in which Shiite and Sunni Muslims, as well as Christian and Jewish communities, worked together for the success of the flourishing empire, under the rule of the Ismaili imams. In the modern period, Ismailis have sought to further pluralism within their own communities by arguing that pluralism goes beyond tolerance and requires people to actively engage across differences and actively embrace difference as a strength. For example, Eboo Patel, an Ismaili American, has established the nonprofit Interfaith America as a way to further pluralism among faith communities. Prince Karim Aga Khan established the Aga Khan Development Network and Aga Khan Foundation in 1967. The network supports health care, housing, education and rural economic development in underprivileged areas. The foundation is one of nine agencies of the network that focuses on philanthropy. The Aga Khan Development Network has hospitals serving the poor in several parts of the world. The Aga Khan Medical University in Karachi, Pakistan, is considered to be a leading medical school globally. While previous imams or leaders also led charity and development projects, the Aga Khan was the first to create a formal, global philanthropic foundation. The Aga Khan Foundation operates in countries with Ismaili populations or historical connections to the Ismaili community, such as Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Uganda. The foundation also has offices in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, focusing primarily on raising funds and advocating for the foundation. According to the foundation, in 2023 it served over 20 million people through 23,310 civil society partner organizations. The Ismaili community will now be led by the Aga Khan's eldest son, Rahim Al-Hussaini, as the 50th imam. He has been actively involved with the Aga Khan Development Network and is expected to continue the important philanthropic and development work of his global community. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Shariq Siddiqui, Indiana University Read more: Nonprofits get more donations when they vary their Facebook fundraising messages − new research What is the Shia-Sunni divide? Hajj cancellation due to coronavirus is not the first time plague has disrupted this Muslim pilgrimage Shariq Siddiqui does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Al-Ahram Weekly
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Aga Khan V succeeds father as head of Ismailis - International
Taking the name Aga Khan V, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Tuesday officially became the hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, following the death of his father a week earlier. The 53-year-old was sworn in as the movement's 50th imam at a ceremony in Lisbon, where his father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, or Aga Khan IV, died last Tuesday at the age of 88. The Aga Khan is regarded as a direct descendent of the Prophet Mohammed and heads a community of some 12 million to 15 million followers around the world, concentrated in central and south Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The Aga Khan IV became head of the movement in 1957 and invested part of the immense family fortune in developing countries, combining philanthropy with business acumen to build hospitals, housing and banking cooperatives. He moved the headquarters of the Ismailis to Portugal following a June 2015 agreement with the Portuguese government involving tax breaks and diplomatic privileges, in exchange for investments in the fields of science and development. The pact provided the Aga Khan with a Portuguese passport in addition to his British nationality and honorary Canadian citizenship. The Aga Khan IV mixed with world leaders and high society, and was a noted racehorse breeder and owner. His remembrance ceremony in Lisbon Saturday was attended by more than 300 guests, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and former Spanish king Juan Carlos I. Short link:
The Independent
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
King grants new Aga Khan title of ‘His Highness'
The King has granted the new Aga Khan the title 'His Highness', Buckingham Palace has announced. Charles is continuing a long-standing royal tradition of bestowing the title on the spiritual leader of the world's millions of Ismaili Muslims. Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, 53, was named as the Aga Khan V following the death of his father Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV, at the age of 88 last week. The late Aga Khan was given the title of 'His Highness' by Queen Elizabeth II in July 1957, two weeks after his grandfather unexpectedly made him heir to the family's 1,300-year dynasty as leader of the Ismaili Muslim sect. The King was left deeply saddened over the death of the late Aga Khan. The billionaire philanthropist was a personal friend of both Charles and Queen Elizabeth II for many years. He was also a leading owner and breeder of racehorses, sharing a passion for racing with the late Queen and helping her achieve one of her most enjoyable days at the races. The Queen's filly Estimate, which claimed victory in Royal Ascot's 2013 Gold Cup – the first time in the race's 207-year history that it had been won by a reigning monarch, was an 80th birthday present from the late Aga Khan. Buckingham Palace in a statement on the monarchy's official social media accounts said: 'To mark the accession of Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan as the fiftieth hereditary Imam of the Shi'a Ismaili Muslim community, and in accordance with long-standing tradition, it has pleased The King to grant the new Aga Khan the title 'His Highness'. The Aga Khan is considered by his followers to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad and is treated as a head of state. The late Aga Khan's funeral was held in Lisbon on Saturday, before a private burial ceremony in Aswan, Egypt, on Sunday.
