Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V was named the 50th spiritual leader of the Ismaili community on Wednesday — Photo via X/Aga Khan Development Network

 

Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V Named 50th Imam of Ismailis

Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V was named the 50th spiritual leader of the Ismaili community on Wednesday,  according to  the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) on X.

The succession follows the  death  of his father Prince Karim Al-Husseini, Aga Khan IV in Lisbon at the age of 88 on Tuesday.

“Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V was today named the 50th hereditary Imam (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 yesterday, aged 88,” the statement said.

“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,” it added.

Born on October 12, 1971, the US-educated, Swiss-based Rahim is the eldest son of the Aga Khan IV and his first wife, Princess Salimah—Sarah Croker Poole, a British ex-model. The couple had a daughter and two sons together.

Rahim has two sons through his marriage with former American fashion model Kendra Spears.

He has served on the boards of many agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network and chairs its Environment and Climate Committee, according to the website.

“Prince Rahim has been particularly concerned with the AKDN’s drive to protect the environment and mitigate the effects of climate change,” it said, also highlighting his attention to the institution’s work “addressing the needs of those living in the greatest poverty”.

Set up in 1967, the AKDN group of international development agencies employs 80,000 people helping to build schools and hospitals and providing electricity for millions of people in the poorest parts of Africa and Asia.

Condolences poured in soon after Prince Khan IV’s death, with global leaders remembering his humanitarian efforts.

Prince Rahim Aga Khan was  conferred  with nation’s highest civilian award, the Nishan-i-Pakistan, by President Asif Ali Zardari during his  visit to Pakistan  last year.

The award recognises individuals who have rendered services of the highest distinction to Pakistan.

Noting Prince Rahim’s role as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and Chair of the AKDN Environment and Climate Committee, the award citation stated: “Prince Rahim Aga Khan, through his many leadership roles within the Aga Khan Development Network, has, for more than a quarter century, dedicated his untiring efforts to improving the quality of life of peoples in resource-constrained regions of Asia and Africa. - AFP