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 was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network. Maulana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, Spiritual Leader and Humanitarian, Passes Away at 88 The Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat has announced the passing of His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, at the age of 88, in Lisbon on February 4, 2025, surrounded by his family.  Born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland, Prince Karim was the eldest son of Prince Aly Khan and Princess Taj-ud-dawlah Aga Khan. He spent his early years in Switzerland and pursued higher education at Harvard University, focusing on Islamic history. In 1957, at the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Aga Khan III, as the Imam of the Ismaili community.  Throughout his nearly seven-decade-long leadership, Aga Khan IV was dedicated to the spiritual and material well-being of Ismaili Muslims and the broader global community. He founded the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which operates in over 30 countries, primarily in Africa and Asia, focusing on initiatives in education, healthcare, economic development, and cultural preservation. The network employs over 80,000 people worldwide and invests approximately $1 billion annually in various projects. He was also known for his substantial contributions to Islamic architecture and efforts to promote a better understanding of Islam as a faith that values compassion and tolerance.