New Delhi, Feb 5 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed deep sadness at the passing away of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the leader of the Ismaili community around the world.
In a post on X, the PM said that he will always cherish his interactions with Karim Aga Khan IV and offered heartfelt condolences to his family and his millions of followers and admirers across the world.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. He was a visionary, who dedicated his life to service and spirituality.
“His contributions in areas like health, education, rural development and women empowerment will continue to inspire several people.
“I will always cherish my interactions with him. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the millions of followers and admirers across the world.”
Karim Aga Khan, who died at the age of 88, was born in Switzerland.
He served as the 49th Imam of the Ismailis globally, a position he held since 1957. He was the founder of the Aga Khan Development Network, which established a network of hospitals and schools in countries such as Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
Among his legacies are the Aga Khan Architecture Award and the Aga Khan Environmental Award. He studied Islamic history at Harvard University, further contributing to his influential role in promoting education and development within the Ismaili community and beyond.
Karim Aga Khan became the spiritual leader of the world’s millions of Ismaili Muslims at age 20 as a Harvard undergraduate. He poured a material empire built on billions of dollars in tithes into building homes, hospitals and schools in developing countries.
His Aga Khan Foundation and the Ismaili religious community announced on their websites that His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV and 49th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, died Tuesday in Portugal surrounded by his family.
They said an announcement on his successor would come later.
