Spiritual leader Aga Khan IV passes away
Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary spiritual leader (Imam) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), has died in Lisbon, Portugal. He was 88
Hyderabad: Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary spiritual leader (Imam) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and Founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), has died in Lisbon, Portugal. He was 88.
The headquarters of Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon in a statement said Aga Khan IV was the eldest son of Prince Aly Khan and Joan Yarde-Buller, and grandson and successor as Imam of the late Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III.
The departed spiritual leader had a special connection with Hyderabad and was actively involved in several social initiatives including quality education through Aga Khan Academy. Through Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Aga Khan IV was actively involved and played a big part in the complete restoration of Quli Qutub Shah Tomb complex in Hyderabad.
Aga Khan IV dedicated his life to improving the living condition of his community and the peoples of the countries in which they live, irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity or religion.
He founded and guided one of the world’s largest private international development organisations that serves communities in some of the most fragile and underdeveloped regions of the world. He was respected globally as a statesman and defender of peace and human progress.
The 50th Imam has been designated, and is to be announced following the reading of His Highness’s Will in the coming days, the statement said.
