DAVOS: Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, passed away in Lisbon on February 4 2025, aged 88, surrounded by his family.
Karim Al-Hussaini, 88, was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. The Aga Khan Development Network has announced that the process of selecting his successor will follow shortly.
Leaders and staff of the network have offered their condolences to the family of Prince Karim Aga Khan and to the Ismaili community worldwide.
His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), passed away peacefully in Lisbon on 4 February 2025, aged 88, surrounded by his family. Prince Karim Aga Khan… pic.twitter.com/bxOyR0TyZr
— Aga Khan Development Network (@akdn) February 4, 2025
In a post on X, Aga Khan Development Network stated, “As we honour the legacy of our founder, Prince Karim Aga Khan, we continue to work with our partners to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities across the world, as he wished, irrespective of their religious affiliations or origins.”
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is dedicated to improving the quality of life of those in need, mainly in Asia and Africa, as per its description on the official website.
The Development Network works in over 30 countries around the world and currently operates over 1,000 programmes and institutions – many of which date back over 60 years, and some over 100. The AKDN has approximately 96,000 people, the majority of whom are based in developing countries. The annual budget for non-profit development activities is approximately USD 1 billion.
According to the AKDN official website, the economic development arm, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, generates annual revenues of USD 4 billion, but all surpluses generated by its project companies are reinvested in further development activities, usually in fragile, remote or post-conflict regions. (ANI)