His Highness Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan formally assumed his position as the Aga Khan V and the 50th Hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailism in a Takht-nishini Ceremony at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon on February 11th, following the Death and the Funeral of Prince Karim al-Husayni, the Aga Khan IV.
The Aga Khan Royal Family joined His Highness the Aga Khan V, as he received global leaders of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community wearing the khilat (robe) of the preceding Imam at his Accession Ceremony at the Henrique de Mendonça Palace in Lisbon, which is the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat. Ismailis around the world observed the ceremony via livestream in their Jamatkhanas (places of gathering) in more than 35 countries.
This was the first occasion on which Aga Khan V was speaking to the international Ismaili community. In his inaugural address, he pledged to dedicate his life to care for the spiritual and material well-being of the Ismaili Jamat.
He spoke of the principles of the Ismaili Muslim faith, the importance of keeping a balance between worldly and spiritual matters and the regular practice of the faith. His message focused on universal concepts of peace, tolerance, inclusion and support for those in need. He said that he wanted his community to be loyal and active citizens of the countries in which they live and urged the Ismaili community to lead by example in matters related to climate change.
Deeply involved with the work of the Aga Khan Development Network for several decades, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan committed to balance continuity and stability with a measured pace of change going forward. He also pledged to sustain friendly and constructive relations with governments and partners, and to work closely with them, as did his father, for peace, stability and opportunity.
It was announced that Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan, the Aga Khan V has been granted the style of ‘His Highness’ by King Charles III upon his accession as the 50th Hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailism.
To mark the accession of Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan as the fiftieth hereditary Imam of the Shi’a Ismaili Muslim community, and in accordance with long-standing tradition, it has pleased The King to grant the new Aga Khan the title ‘His Highness’.
The second child and oldest son of the late Prince Karim al-Husayni, the Aga Khan IV and Princess Salimah Aga Khan, Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan was educated at Phillips Academy Andover in Massachusetts before graduating from Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature in 1995, and also completing graduate studies in management and administration at the IESE Business School University of Navarra in Barcelona.
Prince Rahim has been actively involved in the governance of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), being on the Board or Executive Committee of the the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, and the Aga Khan University Foundation among many others.
In 2013, Prince Rahim married Kendra Irene Spears, and the couple had two sons; Prince Irfan Aga Khan and Prince Sinan Aga Khan before their divorce in 2022.
Upon the death of the Aga Khan IV last week, Prince Rahim has succeeded as the 50th Hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailism, leading 15 million followers.
This title was initially granted to Aga Khan I in recognition of his role as spiritual head of the Ismaili community and as a religious leader of global importance. Many of the Ismaili community also reside in Commonwealth countries.
This tradition continues and now also recognises the work of Ismaili Imams in the fields of interfaith dialogue, education, healthcare, and other forms of socio-economic development which make a hugely positive contribution to communities worldwide.
The title ‘His Highness’ has been accorded by the British Monarch to the Ismaili Imams dating back to the first Aga Khan, who was resident in India and has continued to this day, being reconfirmed after each succession.
Records show that the title ‘His Highness’ was accorded to Aga Khan III by Queen Victoria in 1886 when he was just 9 years old, the year after his accession to the role of Imam. The title of ‘His Highness’ was accorded to Aga Khan IV by Queen Elizabeth II in July 1957 approximately a fortnight after he succeeded his grandfather.
It is understood that the designation of the title ‘His Highness’ to the Imam of the Ismailis by the British Monarchs is a reflection of the strong relationship which has existed over time between the families, the service to the Crown which the Imams have undertaken over the years (initially in Afghanistan and India in particular) and importantly the recognition of the leadership position of the Imam in respect of the Ismaili population which has been and continues to be present in many Commonwealth countries.
The Late Aga Khan IV had a warm relationship at a personal level with Her Late Majesty and His Majesty King Charles, as well as institutionally with the British Government in diplomacy and international statesmanship. This has been recognised for example through the events hosted by Her Late Majesty and the UK Government to mark His Late Highness’ Golden and Diamond Jubilees and the award of a Knighthood.
Royal Guests joined Dignitaries and World Leaders at the Funeral of Prince Karim al-Husayni, the Aga Khan IV in Lisbon on February 8th, ahead of his Burial in Aswan in Egypt tomorrow. The billionaire 49th Hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailism since 1957, the Aga Khan IV was one of the world’s leading philanthropists as the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network.
King Juan Carlos of Spain, the Duke of Braganza, a Qatari Sheikh, the Portuguese President and the Canadian Prime Minister led the Dignitaries at the Funeral of Prince Karim al-Husayni, the Aga Khan IV at the Ismaili Community Center in Lisbon ahead of a private burial ceremony in Aswan the following day.
The Aga Khan V with his sons.
King Juan Carlos of Spain and Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza
Sheikh Thani bin Hamad al Thani of Qatar
Princess Gabriele of Leiningen, former Begum Inaara Aga Khan and Princess Theresa of Leiningen
Prince Karim al-Husayni, the Aga Khan IV has passed away at the age of 88 in Lisbon. The billionaire 49th Hereditary Imam of Nizari Ismailism, who was one of the world’s leading philanthropists as the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network.
The son of Prince Aly Khan, son of the Aga Khan III, and The Hon. Joan Barbara Yarde-Buller, daughter of the 3rd Baron Churston and the Duchess of Leinster, Prince Karim al-Husayni was born in Geneva, spending his childhood in Nairobi, Kenya before attending the Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland with the Duke of Kent and then going to Harvard University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. In 1958, while still at Harvard, Prince Karim succeeded his grandfather as the Aga Khan IV, the 49th Imam of Nizari Ismailism, a denomination of Shia Islam with over 15 million followers around the world.
In 1969, the Aga Khan married Lady James Charles Crichton-Stuart, who became Princess Salimah Aga Khan. The couple had three children before their divorce in 1995. In 1998, the Aga Khan married Princess Gabriele of Leiningen, with whom he had another son before their divorce in 2014.
The Aga Khan was close to various Royal Families, having celebrated his Golden and Diamond Jubilees with Queen Elizabeth II. The Princely titles used by the Aga Khans are by virtue of their descent from Shah Fath Ali Shah of the Persian Qajar dynasty, while the style of His Highness was formally granted to the Aga Khan by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957 and the style of His Royal Highness was granted in 1959 by the Shah of Iran.
The Aga Khan had a net worth estimated to be at $13 billion, unique since he does not rule over a geographic territory, and is a business magnate, racehorse owner and breeder. The founder of the Aga Khan Development Network, he is the chairman of the world’s largest private development network, working towards the elimination of global poverty; the promotion and implementation of religious pluralism; the advancement of the status of women; and the honouring of Islamic art and architecture, alongside working in the environment, health, education, architecture, culture, microfinance sectors, rural development, disaster reduction, the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalisation of historic cities.
We offer our condolences to the Aga Khan Family!
The announcement of his designated successor will follow.
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