The MENA’s Ismaili Muslims mourn spiritual leader Aga Khan

Ismaili Muslims in the Middle East region were in mourning on Tuesday following the announcement of the death of their spiritual leader, the Aga Khan. 

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV passed away at the age of 88 in Lisbon, according to his philanthropic organisation.  

Since 1957, he led a community of 15 million Ismailis across 35 countries.  

A statement from the Aga Khan Development Network, the global development organisation he founded, confirmed that he was “surrounded by his family” at the time of his passing. 

As one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, the Aga Khan had an estimated net worth exceeding £1 billion, much of which he dedicated to development projects worldwide. 

The New Arab explores how Ismaili Muslims in the Middle East and North Africa are reacting to his death, as well as his legacy as a humanitarian and diplomat.

Who was the Aga Khan? 

Karim al-Husseini, widely recognised as the Aga Khan, was born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland. He spent part of his early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, before moving back to Switzerland, where he attended the renowned Le Rosey School.

He later pursued higher education in the United States, studying Islamic history at Harvard University.

In 1957, at the age of 20, he assumed the role of Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, upon his passing.

The title “Aga Khan,” which originates from Turkish and Persian and translates to “commanding chief,” was granted to him in his capacity as the spiritual leader of the Nizari Ismailis, a sect within Shia Islam.  

Ismaili Muslims regard their Imams as direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and his daughter, Fatima.

A life of influence, wealth, and cultural bridging

Throughout his lifetime, the Aga Khan was a strong advocate for Islamic culture and values, working to promote greater understanding between Muslim communities and the Western world.

Although he held significant influence, he largely stayed away from political involvement.

In addition to his role as a spiritual leader, the Aga Khan was also known for his considerable wealth and lavish lifestyle.

His fortune allowed him to own private jets, luxury yachts, and an exclusive island in the Bahamas. He was also an avid skier, even competing in the Winter Olympics. In his personal life, he married twice—first to a British model, with whom he had three children, and later to German singer Gabriele Thyssen, with whom he had a son.

His status was recognized on an international level, holding citizenship in multiple countries, including Britain, France, Switzerland, and Portugal. In 1957, shortly after assuming the position of Imam, Queen Elizabeth II granted him the honorary title of “His Highness”.

The Aga Khan was involved in humanitarian work. His principal philanthropic organisation, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), focuses on healthcare, housing, education, and economic development. 

Operating in more than 30 countries, the AKDN reportedly employs around 96,000 people and has an annual development budget of approximately $1 billion.

It is said to play a crucial role in building schools and hospitals in some of the world’s most impoverished regions across Africa and Asia. 

Who are the Ismaili Muslims? 

The Ismailis are a branch of Shia Islam and represent the second-largest Shia community after the Twelvers.  

They believe in a continuous line of Imams tracing back to the Prophet Muhammad, distinguishing them from other Islamic sects. 

In 2015, the Aga Khan moved the Ismaili Imamate’s Secretariat – a supra-national institution representing the continuity of the Imamate – from Aiglemont, France, to Lisbon, Portugal. 

Ismaili followers are expected to tithe up to 12.5 percent of their income to the Aga Khan, whom they revere as their Imam and steward of their faith.

The community has a global presence, with followers in the Middle East, Africa, Central and South Asia, Europe, North America, and Australia.  

Historically centred in India, the Ismailis have since expanded, forming significant communities in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Syria, where the city of Salamiyah, located east of Hama, has long been a hub for the Ismaili community.  

Many Ismailis have faced significant upheavals, including the 1972 expulsion of Asians from Uganda by Idi Amin and political instability in Tajikistan following the Soviet Union’s collapse.  

Most recently, following the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, an agreement was reportedly reached between Ismaili representatives and the new Syrian governing authorities to ensure the safety and protection of Ismailis in Salamiyah, according to the UK Aga Khan National Council. 

How have Ismaili Muslims in MENA and beyond reacted? 

Following the Aga Khan’s death, Ismaili Muslims across the Middle East and beyond have paid their respects, honouring his legacy of service, intellectual leadership, and cultural bridge-building.

Public figures, both Ismaili and non-Ismaili, have also expressed their condolences. 

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, paid tribute to the Aga Khan on X, stating: “He was not only a great leader for his people, but a true friend and an equestrian who loved and understood horses deeply.” He also hailed him as “one of the world’s greatest philanthropists”. 

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, described him as “a symbol of peace, tolerance and compassion in our troubled world”.

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called him “an extraordinarily compassionate global leader” and “a very good friend”.

Tributes also poured in from various charities supported by the Aga Khan, as well as the international equestrian community, where he was a respected figure.  

Ismaili communities in the US held ceremonies in his honour on Tuesday, with further memorials taking place worldwide on Wednesday. 

Who is the successor? 

The Ismaili community’s spiritual leader is believed to be divinely appointed, with succession determined by the Aga Khan’s selection of his heir.

The Aga Khan Development Network has stated that his chosen successor will be announced soon.

His will is expected to be read in Lisbon in the presence of his family and senior religious leaders before the successor is formally revealed to the public. However, no official date has been set for the announcement.

In accordance with Ismaili tradition, the next Imam must be chosen from among the Aga Khan’s male descendants or close relatives.

He is survived by his four children; Princess Zahra, Prince Rahim, Prince Hussain, and Prince Aly Muhammad.

While speculation suggests that his eldest son, Prince Rahim, is the likely successor, confirmation will only follow the formal reading of the will.