His Highness the Aga Khan IV, the revered spiritual leader of the global Ismaili Muslim community, will be laid to rest on Sunday, February 9, in Aswan, Egypt. His burial follows a private funeral ceremony scheduled for Saturday at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon.
Aga Khan IV, born Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, passed away peacefully on February 4 in Lisbon at the age of 88, surrounded by his family. His death marks the end of an era of nearly seven decades of leadership, during which he played a pivotal role in fostering development, education, and humanitarian initiatives worldwide.
According to a statement released by the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat on February 6, the funeral ceremony at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon will be an exclusive event, attended only by invited guests. These include members of his family, global Ismaili community leaders, Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) officials, Portuguese government representatives, and other international dignitaries.
The burial in Aswan will also be a private affair, conducted in accordance with Ismaili Muslim traditions.
Following his passing, Aga Khan IV’s eldest son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, has been named the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, a transition outlined in his father’s will. His ascension to the position underscores the continuity of leadership within the Ismaili community, a sect of Shi’ite Islam comprising approximately 15 million followers across Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and North America.
A formal homage ceremony has been scheduled for February 11, 2025, in Lisbon, during which Prince Rahim will receive senior Ismaili leaders who will pledge their allegiance to him as their new Imam.
Born in Geneva in 1936, Aga Khan IV ascended to the role of Imam in 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III. Over the past six decades, he has dedicated his life to advancing the well-being of vulnerable communities through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The network employs over 80,000 people and has been instrumental in supporting healthcare, education, cultural preservation, and economic development projects in Africa and Asia.
Aga Khan IV was widely respected for promoting Islam as a faith of compassion, tolerance, and human dignity. His initiatives have had a lasting impact on global humanitarian efforts, making him one of the most influential philanthropic leaders of modern times.
As the world mourns his loss, the Aga Khan’s legacy will continue through the work of AKDN and the leadership of Aga Khan V. The upcoming funeral and burial ceremonies mark a solemn moment for Ismaili Muslims globally, as they bid farewell to a leader who dedicated his life to their spiritual and material well-being.
The transition of leadership and the commemoration of his legacy will be closely observed in the coming months, as the Ismaili community rallies around their new Imam in carrying forward the vision and mission of His Highness Aga Khan IV.
