Aga Khan IV

Aga Khan IV
Name	Aga Khan IV
Title	49th Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims
Birth name	Shah Karim al-Husayni
Birth date	13 December 1936
Birth place	Geneva, Switzerland
Religion	Ismaili Shia Islam
Predecessor	Aga Khan III
Spouse	Sarah Croker-Poole (m. 1969; div. 1995), Gabriele zu Leiningen (m. 1998)
Children	Rahim, Hussain, Zahra, Aly Muhammad
Education	Le Rosey, Harvard University

Aga Khan IV is the 49th and current hereditary Imam of the Nizari Ismaili community, a branch of Shia Islam. Succeeding his grandfather, Aga Khan III, in 1957, he has guided the spiritual and worldly progress of his followers for over six decades. His leadership is distinguished by a vast network of philanthropic institutions, most notably the Aga Khan Development Network, which works to improve quality of life across Asia and Africa.

Early life and education

Born Shah Karim al-Husayni in Geneva, he spent his early years in Nairobi, Kenya. He received his primary education at the prestigious Le Rosey institute in Switzerland. For his higher education, he attended Harvard University, graduating in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Islamic history. His studies at Harvard were interrupted by his succession to the Imamate, an event that occurred while he was still an undergraduate.

Succession as Imam

In 1957, his grandfather, Aga Khan III, designated him as his successor through a written testament, bypassing his own son, Prince Aly Khan. The succession was announced at the Aga Khan's funeral in Aswan, Egypt. The young Imam was formally installed in a ceremony held in Dar es Salaam, Tanganyika, and later enthroned at the historic Aga Hall in Karachi, Pakistan. This transition marked a new era for the global Ismaili community.

Spiritual leadership and the Ismaili community

As Imam, he provides religious guidance and interprets the faith for his followers residing in over 25 countries, including significant populations in Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, and Syria. He has emphasized the compatibility of Islam with the modern world and the importance of a cosmopolitan ethic. Under his direction, the community has established numerous Jamatkhanas and religious education centers worldwide, fostering a strong sense of identity and social cohesion.

Philanthropy and development work

His most significant worldly contribution is the creation and oversight of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the world's largest private development organizations. The AKDN operates in fields such as health, through the Aga Khan University and Aga Khan Health Services; education, via the University of Central Asia and Aga Khan Academies; and economic development, with agencies like the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. These institutions work extensively in regions of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Cultural and architectural patronage

He is a renowned patron of Islamic architecture and cultural revitalization. Major projects include the restoration of historic sites like the Al-Azhar Park in Cairo and the Aleppo Citadel in Syria. He established the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture to recognize excellence in building concepts that address the needs of Muslim societies. Furthermore, he founded the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, dedicated to the arts of Islamic civilizations.

Recognition and legacy

His work has been recognized with numerous honors, including honorary citizenship of Canada and the Hilal-e-Pakistan. He holds honorary degrees from institutions like the University of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His legacy is defined by a unique synthesis of spiritual authority and a deep commitment to pluralism, sustainable development, and the empowerment of civil society across the developing world.

Category:1936 births Category:Nizari imams Category:Living people Category:Harvard University alumni