Latest news with #Ismailis
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.
Express Tribune
12-02-2025
- General
- 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.
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:
Express Tribune
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Ismaili Muslims bid goodbye to late Aga Khan
LISBON: The funeral prayers of late Prince Karim al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, was held in Lisbon on Saturday. Prince Karim al-Husseini, 88, died on Tuesday. He was regarded as a direct descendent of the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and enjoyed near divine status as the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Nizaris. Saturday's private ceremony at the Ismaili community centre in Lisbon 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. Aga Khan IV died in the Portuguese capital, where he had established the global headquarters in 2015. He held British and Portuguese nationalities, as well as honorary Canadian citizenship, a distinction rarely given. The global Ismaili community assembled around the world in Jamatkhanas (places of worship and gathering) to witness the ceremony through a live transmission, and to pay tribute to their Imam's extraordinary life of leadership and service. His Highness's casket was draped in a white cloth, with his personal standard embroidered in gold. It was carried into the ceremonial hall by volunteers from the Ismaili community, while prayers were recited invoking blessings on Prophet Muhammad and his progeny (peace be upon them). In accordance with Muslim tradition, verses from the Holy Quran were recited and, thereafter, guests filed past the casket to pay their last respects. Throughout his life, His Highness emphasised that Islam is a thinking, spiritual faith, that teaches compassion and tolerance and upholds the dignity of humankind. Guided by these ethical principles, he established the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) a group of private, international, non-denominational agencies, working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest, most vulnerable parts of the developing world. He leaves a powerful legacy and platform for his successor, Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V. Prince Karim Aga Khan IV will be laid to rest on Sunday (today), at a private burial ceremony in Aswan, Egypt. He will be interred in the mausoleum of his grandfather, the late Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III, until a new mausoleum is constructed as his final resting place on land adjacent to the existing structure. His eldest son, 53-year-old Rahim, will succeed him and take on the title of Aga Khan V. The equivalent of an inauguration of the new Aga Khan will be held on Tuesday morning at the community's headquarters, a mansion in central Lisbon. Born in Geneva on December 13, 1936, Al-Hussaini succeeded his grandfather, Mahomed Shah, as leader of the Ismailis in 1957, when he was only 20 years old. His father, Ali, was excluded from the succession after his tumultuous marriage to US actor Rita Hayworth. As Aga Khan, Al-Hussaini expanded the work of his grandfather, who created hospitals, housing and banking cooperatives in developing countries. He invested part of the immense family fortune in the most deprived countries, combining philanthropy with business acumen. To this end, he founded the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a gigantic foundation which is thought to have 96,000 employees worldwide and which funds development programmes, mainly in Asia and Africa. A keen racehorse owner, he continued the family tradition of breeding thoroughbreds in his eight stables in France and Ireland. His horses have many of the most prestigious races. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb represented Pakistan at the funeral. According to press release issued by finance ministry, during the meeting with Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V the minister expressed heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of late Prince Karim Aga Khan on behalf of the President, the Prime Minister and people of Pakistan. The minister lauded the services of late Prince Karim Aga Khan and the Aga Khan Development Network which has a focus on development of human capacity, generating economic growth, building resilient communities and honoring cultural heritage. He said the sad demise of Prince Karim al-Hussain was a monumental loss not only for his family, friends and followers but also for the underprivileged and destitute people of the recalled late Prince Karim Agha Khan's special attachment to Pakistan and its people. The government of Pakistan declared February 8 as the day of national mourning on the occasion of the funeral of Prince Karim Aga Khan, the press release said, adding Pakistani flag will remain on half-mast in the country and at Pakistan missions abroad.
