Mumbai: Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V has been named as the 50th hereditary Imam or spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, following the unsealing of the Will of his late father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who died in Lisbon, Portugal on Tuesday, aged 88.
About Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam and the first Shia Imam.
He was born on October 12, 1971 as the eldest son of the late Prince Karim Aga Khan and his first wife, Princess Salimah.
Sophia Premjee, Communications Coordinator for Ismaili Council for India, said that the new Imam was declared on Wednesday. "The successor is decided on the basis of the will left by the last Imam," said Premjee. "The sentiment in the community is that late Aga Khan was a visionary leader. There is hope and optimism with the new Imam taking over."
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V was educated at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1995 from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature.
Prince Rahim has two sons from his former wife, Princess Salwa, Prince Irfan and Prince Sinan. He serves on the boards of many agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network, and has closely followed the work of The Institute of Ismaili Studies and the Ismaili community’s social governance institutions. He has been particularly concerned with the AKDN’s drive to protect the environment and mitigate the effects of climate change, serving as Chairman of its Environment and Climate Committee, the Ismaili community said in a statement.
He had visited India in July, 2024, to take stock of community and architectural restoration projects in Hyderabad and Delhi. The AKDN is restoring the Quli Qutb Shah tombs in Hyderabad and has restored the Humayun's tomb in Delhi.
Throughout their 1,400 year history, the Ismailis have been led by a living, hereditary Imam. The Ismailis live in over 35 countries and number approximately 12 to 15 million. There are estimated to number a few thousands in Mumbai and have their jamatkhanas or mosques across the city.
The funeral of the late Aga Khan is expected to take place during the weekend in Lisbon.
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