The Aga Khan, a spiritual leader of the Ismaili branch of Shiism with millions of followers worldwide, has passed away at the age of 88. His legacy as a champion of peace, tolerance, and compassion will continue to inspire generations through his vast network of development programs.
The Aga Khan Development Network employs some 96,000 people and finances development programs particularly in Asia and Africa. He died ‘peacefully‘ surrounded by his family in Lisbon.
A Life of Service and Leadership
The Aga Khan was the figurehead of the Ismaili branch of Shiism with millions of followers around the world [FILE: November 2017]
Image: Amr Alfiky/REUTERS
The Aga Khan is the 49th Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims, a branch of Shia Islam.
He is also the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which focuses on poverty reduction, healthcare, education, and cultural development in over 30 countries.
The Aga Khan has received numerous awards for his humanitarian work, including the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights.
He was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and educated at Harvard University.
Who Was the Aga Khan?
Considered by those that followed him to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, the Aga Khan became the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims at the age of 20 as a Harvard undergraduate. He poured a material empire built on billions of dollars in tithes into constructing homes, hospitals and schools in developing countries.
The Aga Khan also held British and Portuguese citizenship and the Ismaili leadership is based in Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, where there is also a significant community. Despite his role as the spiritual head of the Ismaili Muslims, he was reluctant to talk about Middle East conflicts, religious fundamentalism or Sunni-Shiite tensions.
Tributes Pour In
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has paid tribute to the spiritual leader. He said he was ‘deeply saddened‘ at the news, describing the Aga Khan as ‘a symbol of peace, tolerance and compassion in our troubled world.’ Nobel Peace laureate and education campaigner Malala Yousafzai said the Aga Khan’s legacy will ‘live on through the incredible work he led for education, health and development around the world.‘
