Rahim Al-Hussaini succeeds his father to become new Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims

Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini has succeeded his father to become the 50th hereditary Imam, or spiritual leader, of Ismaili Muslims. He was named after the will of his late father Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was unsealed on Wednesday, the Aga Khan Development Network said.

Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, the eldest son of the Aga Khan, was named the 50th hereditary Imam, or spiritual leader, of Ismaili Muslims on Wednesday.

His father, known for his dazzling wealth and development work around the world, died in Lisbon, the seat of the Ismaili Imamat, aged 88 on Tuesday, his foundation announced.

He was the founder and president of the Aga Khan Development Network, which employs 96,000 people and finances development programmes particularly in Asia and Africa.

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“His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), passed away peacefully in Lisbon on 4 February 2025, aged 88, surrounded by his family,” the foundation said on social media.

The funeral is expected to take place in Portugal's capital "in the coming days", the Imamat said on its website.

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

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, Reuters)


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