Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini has been named the new Aga Khan, spiritual leader of millions of Shia Ismaili Muslims around the world.
He will take on the role from his father Prince Karim Aga Khan, who died on Tuesday at the age of 88.
The appointment was made after Prince Karim Aga Khan’s will was unsealed, the Aga Khan Development Network said in a statement.
Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V will be the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, who say they are direct decedents of the Prophet Muhammad.
The Ismailis are a Shia Muslim sect who revere a number of Imams, including Imam Ismail, who died in 765 AD.
They have a worldwide population of about 15 million, including 500,000 in Pakistan.
There are also large populations in India, Afghanistan and parts of Africa.
Prince Karim Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather as Imam of the Ismaili Muslims in 1957 at the age of 20.
He died surrounded by family in Lisbon, Portugal, the Aga Khan Development Network said.
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2025-02-05 17:48:56
