In a remarkable testament to bridging faith and philanthropy, the spiritual leader who transformed billions in religious tithes into a global humanitarian legacy has passed away. The Aga Khan, who led millions of Ismaili Muslims for over six decades while building an extensive network of hospitals, schools, and development projects, died Tuesday in Portugal at age 88.
A young leader’s unexpected ascension
His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, known as Aga Khan IV, assumed his role as the 49th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims in 1957 while still a Harvard undergraduate. His grandfather, Aga Khan III, chose him over his father, believing the community needed leadership from someone “who has been brought up in the midst of the new age.”
Queen Elizabeth bestowed the title “His Highness” upon him just two weeks after his designation as heir to the 1,300-year dynasty. The young prince’s formal installation took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, at the same location where his grandfather had once received his weight in diamonds as gifts from followers.
Building a humanitarian empire
Through the Aga Khan Development Network, his main philanthropic organization, he established healthcare facilities in underserved regions including Bangladesh, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. His commitment extended beyond healthcare to encompass education, rural economic development, and cultural preservation.
The Aga Khan’s passion for Islamic architecture led to the creation of specialized programs at prestigious institutions like MIT and Harvard, while his architecture prize encouraged excellence in design that respected Islamic traditions.
Faith and responsibility
As leader of the Ismaili Muslims, who practice tithing up to 10% of their income, the Aga Khan managed substantial financial resources. Speaking to Vanity Fair in 2012, he explained his perspective on wealth and duty: “We have no notion of the accumulation of wealth being evil. The Islamic ethic is that if God has given you the capacity or good fortune to be a privileged individual in society, you have a moral responsibility to society.”
The spiritual leader’s unexpected appointment shaped his entire life trajectory. “I was an undergraduate who knew what his work for the rest of his life was going to be,” he reflected in the same Vanity Fair interview. “I don’t think anyone in my situation would have been prepared.”
The Aga Khan Foundation and Ismaili community announced that information regarding his successor will be forthcoming. He is survived by three sons and a daughter.
