Lisbon (Portugal), February 5: Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community, passed away peacefully in Lisbon, Portugal, on 4 February 2025. He was 88 years old. The Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat confirmed his passing, stating that he was surrounded by his family.
Aga Khan IV directly descended from Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and his cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali. He became the Imam of the Ismaili Muslims in 1957, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III.
Throughout his life, he championed Islam as a faith of compassion, intellectual engagement, and tolerance. He also dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts. As the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), he worked to improve living conditions in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. His initiatives supported people across different races, genders, ethnicities, and faiths.
He played a key role in education, healthcare, economic development, and cultural preservation. His leadership earned him global respect as a statesman and advocate for peace and human progress.
The Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat confirmed that the 50th Imam has already been designated. His name will be announced after Aga Khan IV’s will is read in the coming days.
