Rahim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan V.
Credit: AKDN.
Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini has been named the new Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims around the world, and succeeds his father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who died on Tuesday aged 88.
Al-Hussaini, who is the fifth Aga Khan, was confirmed in the role following the unsealing of his late father’s will, according to the Aga Khan Development Network.
Is Aga Khan a royal family member?
The Aga Khan IV used the network to channel billions of dollars into business development in 30 countries, mostly in Africa and Asia. He was a favourite with Queen Elizabeth II, who befriended him through a shared interest in horse racing and breeding and who first referred to the Aga Khan as ‘Your Highness,’ adding greater significance to the role on the western world stage.
King Charles was said to be ‘deeply saddened’ by the loss of the Aga Khan IV, whom he described as a ‘lifelong personal friend’.
Is Aga Khan a descendant of Prophet Muhammad?
Al-Hussaini has become the 50th hereditary spiritual leader of Shia Ismaili Muslims, who consider him a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. ‘Throughout their 1,400-year history, the Ismailis have been led by a living, hereditary Imam,’ the Aga Khan Development Network said in a statement.
The 53-year-old Al-Hussaini has been chairing the network’s environment and climate committee. He was educated at Brown University and was the Aga Khan IV’s eldest son.
Al-Hussaini has served on the boards of various agencies within the Aga Khan Development Network, the spiritual leader’s main philanthropic organisation, which deals mainly with issues of health care, housing, education, and rural economic development. It says it works in over 30 countries and has an annual budget of about $1 billion for non-profit development activities.
Ismailis lived for many generations in Iran, Syria, and South Asia before also settling in East Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East, as well as Europe, North America and, more recently, Australia. They consider it a duty to donate up to 12.5 percent of their income to the Aga Khan as a steward of socio-economic development around the world.
