His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, is dead. Aga Khan Development Network said the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), passed away peacefully on 4 February 2025.
He died at the age of 88 while surrounded by his family in Lisbon, Portugal.
Prince Karim Aga Khan was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network.
The announcement of his designated successor will follow.
Leaders and staff of the Aga Khan Development Network offer our condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide.
“As we honour the legacy of our founder, Prince Karim Aga Khan, we continue to work with our partners to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities across the world, as he wished, irrespective of their religious affiliations or origins,” reads the statement.
Condolences & Directions on 50th Imam
The Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat said Aga Khan dedicated his life to improving the living conditions of his community and the people of the countries in which they live, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or religion.
In a statement, the Diwan mentioned that he founded and led one of the world’s largest private international development organizations, serving communities in some of the most fragile and underdeveloped regions of the world.
For this reason, he was respected globally as a statesman and a champion of peace and human progress.
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“Throughout his life, His Highness the Aga Khan IV emphasized that Islam is a thinking, spiritual faith that teaches compassion and tolerance and upholds the dignity of humankind,” the statement reads.
Additionally, the Diwan stated that the 50th Imam has been designated and will be announced following the reading of His Highness’s Will in the coming days.
Information about the funeral arrangements will be shared shortly.
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President William Ruto mourned him as an extraordinary leader who went beyond what seemed impossible to help the vulnerable through his charities in hospitals and schools.
“We are saddened by the passing of The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims. Our thoughts are with the family of His Highness and the wider Ismaili community,” Ruto said.
Aga Khan Background & Businesses in Kenya
Prince Karim Aga Khan was a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) 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.
He was the eldest son of Prince Aly Khan and Joan Yarde-Buller and the grandson and successor of the late Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III.
Some of the key businesses and institutions he holds in Kenya include Serena Hotels, Nation Media Group, Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), Aga Khan University (AKU), and Aga Khan Hospitals.
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