Aga Khan, Spiritual Leader of Ismaili Muslims, Passes Away
The world mourns the loss of Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community. He passed away on Tuesday in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of 88. His Highness the Aga Khan became the 49th [[Imam]] of the [[Ismaili]] Muslims at just 20 years old, while he was still a student at Harvard University. He dedicated his life to his community, leading them for an incredible [[six decades]].
A Life Dedicated to Service
Beyond his spiritual leadership, Aga Khan was known for his extraordinary philanthropic work. He used his personal fortune to improve the lives of people in developing countries, focusing on key areas like healthcare, education, and housing.
Early Life and Education
Born Prince Shah Karim Al Husseini on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland, Aga Khan spent his early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya. He received his education at the prestigious Le Rosey School in Switzerland before studying Islamic history at Harvard University. In 1957, at the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, as Imam.
A Legacy of Development and Philanthropy
In 1967, he established the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). This global network, employing around 80,000 people, has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for people in underdeveloped regions of Africa and Asia. The AKDN has been instrumental in building schools and hospitals and bringing electricity to areas where access was limited. He also funded hospitals in places like Bangladesh, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, where healthcare resources were scarce.
A Patron of Culture and Architecture
Aga Khan also championed cultural preservation and architectural excellence. Under his leadership, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) supported numerous important restoration projects, including the restoration of the Qutb Shahi Tombs in Hyderabad and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi. He established programmes for Islamic Architecture at prestigious institutions like MIT and Harvard. His passion for architecture extended to founding a renowned architectural prize.
Business Ventures and Personal Life
Aga Khan’s diverse business interests included owning a pharmaceutical company, a bank, and even a fishnet factory in Uganda. His personal fortune, accumulated through family inheritance, horse breeding, tourism, and real estate investments, has been estimated to be between $800 million and $13 billion. He was known for his love of horse racing, owning several winning horses, including the famously kidnapped Shergar. He was married twice and had four children.
Succession
The Aga Khan Development Network has announced that his successor will be named soon, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Ismaili Muslim community.