The Aga Khan Development Network announced in a statement that Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini was designated the 50th hereditary Imam, or spiritual head, of the Shia Ismaili Muslims on Wednesday after the will of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, was unsealed.
His father, who was well-known for his extravagant wealth and global development efforts, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88 in Lisbon, the home of the Ismaili Imamat.
Prince Rahim was born on October 12, 1971, the eldest son of the late Aga Khan IV and his first wife, Princess Salimah, née Sarah Croker Poole, a British former model. Together, the couple had two sons and a daughter.
As the chairman of the AKDN's Environment and Climate Committee, Prince Rahim has closely followed the activities of the Institute of Ismaili Studies and the social governance organisations of the Ismaili community. He also serves on the boards of other Aga Khan Development Network entities.
Ismailis believe that Aga Khan, a term that comes from Turkish and Persian terms meaning "commanding chief", is a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) through Hazrat Ali, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter.
There are around 15 million Ismaili people worldwide, who reside in North America, Europe, South Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Also Read: Prince Karim Aga Khan IV breathes his last in Lisbon
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV - the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community and a globally respected philanthropist - passed away in Lisbon at the age of 88, the Aga Khan Development Network announced on Tuesday.
“With profound sadness, the Jamat is informed that our beloved 49th hereditary Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, passed peacefully to Almighty Allah’s grace on February 4, 2025, in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family,” the statement read.
In keeping with Ismaili tradition, the announcement of his successor will be made after the reading of his will in the presence of his family and senior community members.
Born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Prince Karim Aga Khan assumed the role of Imam of the Ismaili community on July 11, 1957, at the age of 20, following the passing of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.
He led the global Ismaili community for nearly seven decades, advocating for social progress, education, and economic development across Asia, Africa, and beyond.
