Prince Rahim: Profile of Aga Khan IV Successor Named in His Father’s Will

Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V has been named as the new spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims worldwide.

Rahim was unveiled as the 50th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Muslims, taking up the role from his father Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who died on Tuesday at the age of 88.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) said that Karim was surrounded by his family when he died in Lisbon, Portugal,

He succeeded his grandfather as Imam of the Ismaili Muslims in 1957 at 20 years.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, AKDN said that Rahim was named as his father’s successor following the unsealing of the latter’s will.

“Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V was today named the 50th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, following the unsealing of the Will of his late father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who died in Lisbon, Portugal yesterday, aged 88,” said AKDN.

Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V will be the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who say they are direct decedents of the Prophet Muhammad.

The Ismailis are a Shia Muslim sect who revere a number of Imams, including Imam Ismail, who died in 765 AD.

They have a worldwide population of approximately 12 to 15 million, including 500,000 in Pakistan and live in over 35 countries. 

There are also large populations in India, Afghanistan and parts of Africa.

“Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali, the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph of Islam and the first Shia Imam,” added AKDN.

Profile of Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V

Born on October 12, 1971, Prince Rahim is the eldest son of the late Prince Karim Aga Khan and his first wife, Princess Salimah.

He was educated at Phillips Academy Andover and graduated in 1995 from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature.

Also Read: List of Multibillion Property Owned by Aga Khan

Additionally, Prince Rahim completed an executive development program in management and administration, at the University of Navarra IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain in 2006 after spending some time in the construction sector.

This was before he joined AKDN where he serves on the boards or executive committees of its many agencies and affiliated structures such as the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and the Aga Khan University Foundation, among others.

Aga Khan V is also a member of the Board of the Fondation de Chantilly in France.

He travels regularly to Asia and Africa to oversee microfinance programs and other projects of the AKDN.

Rahim has two sons from his former wife, Princess Salwa: Prince Irfan and Prince Sinan.

Aga Khan IV

Rahim’s father, His Highness the Aga Khan IV, was the 49th hereditary spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, founder and president of AKDN which employs 96,000 people and finances development programs, particularly in Asia and Africa.

Also Read: Aga Khan Dies Aged 88

He was well known globally for his philanthropic works aimed at improving people’s lives.

Born in Geneva, Switzerland, Aga Khan IV spent his childhood in Kenya and was appointed in Tanzania to succeed his grandfather in 1957.

His father was passed over in the line of succession after a tumultuous marriage to American actress Rita Hayworth.

World leaders have paid tributes to the late Aga Khan IV terming him an extraordinary leader who dedicated his life to helping the vulnerable through his charitable work in healthcare and education.

President William Ruto said, “We are saddened by the passing of The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims. Our thoughts are with his family and the wider Ismaili community. Rest in peace.”

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, on his part, mourned Aga Khan IV remembering him as a close friend and confidant, a visionary leader and a philanthropist.

In a statement on Wednesday, Uhuru described His Highness the Aga Khan as more than a friend—calling him a brother, trusted confidant and partner in their shared mission to improve lives globally.

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