The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Shia Muslim community and a globally recognized philanthropist, has passed away at the age of 88 in Lisbon, Portugal.
According to the Aga Khan Development Network, a successor to Karim al-Husseini—as he was officially known—will be announced soon. As per Ismaili tradition, the next Aga Khan will be selected from his male descendants.
Born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland, the Aga Khan spent his early years in Nairobi, Kenya, before returning to Switzerland for education at the prestigious Le Rosey School. He later pursued Islamic history at Harvard University in the United States.
In 1957, after the passing of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, he became the imam of the Ismaili Muslim community at just 20 years old. Throughout his life, he was committed to humanitarian and development initiatives worldwide.
The Aga Khan spent much of his life in France before settling in Portugal in recent years. His development foundation and network operate from Switzerland. He will be laid to rest in Lisbon. He is survived by three sons, a daughter, and several grandchildren.
