Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini has been named the 50th hereditary Imam of Ismaili Muslims, following the unsealing of his late father Prince Karim Aga Khan IV’s will on Wednesday, as confirmed by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
Prince Karim, renowned for his immense wealth and global development efforts, passed away at the age of 88 on Tuesday in Lisbon, the seat of the Ismaili Imamat. His funeral is set to take place in the coming days in Portugal’s capital, with arrangements being finalized.
The Ismaili Muslim community, a branch of Shi’ite Islam with approximately 15 million followers worldwide, is spread across regions including Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and North America.
Prince Rahim, born on October 12, 1971, is the eldest son of Prince Karim and his first wife, Princess Salimah (formerly Sarah Croker Poole), a former British model.
Rahim has two sons with his wife, former American fashion model Kendra Spears. Educated in the United States and currently based in Switzerland, Rahim has been a key figure in the AKDN, serving on the boards of multiple agencies.
He is also the chair of the AKDN’s Environment and Climate Committee, focusing on addressing climate change and environmental sustainability, as well as alleviating poverty.
The Aga Khan, a title derived from Persian and Turkish that means “commanding chief,” is believed by Ismailis to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, the first Imam, and Ali’s wife, Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter.
The title of Aga Khan was first granted in the 1830s by the Persian emperor to Rahim’s great-great-grandfather after his marriage to the emperor’s daughter.
Established in 1967, the AKDN is an international development network employing 80,000 people across the globe. The organization has been instrumental in providing education, healthcare, and electricity to some of the world’s most impoverished regions, especially in Africa and Asia.
In addition to his philanthropic work, Prince Karim was involved in private business ventures, such as owning a pharmaceutical company, a bank, and a fishnet factory in Uganda. He also continued his family’s legacy in thoroughbred racing, with his horses achieving international acclaim at prestigious derbies.
As the 50th Imam, Prince Rahim inherits a legacy of spiritual leadership and development work that will continue to shape the Ismaili community’s future.
Set up in 1967, the AKDN group of international development agencies employs 80,000 people helping to build schools and hospitals and providing electricity for millions of people in the poorest parts of Africa and Asia.
Aga Khan IV mixed his development work with private business, owning for example in Uganda a pharmaceutical company, a bank and a fishnet factory.
Aga Khan IV also kept up his family’s long tradition of thoroughbred racing and breeding. His stables and riders, wearing his emerald-green silk livery, enjoyed great successes at the top international derbies.
Ties with India
The deceased Aga Khan had a strong connection with India. Following his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to condole the loss.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. He was a visionary, who dedicated his life to service and spirituality. His contributions in areas like health, education, rural development and women empowerment will continue to inspire several people. I will always cherish my interactions with him. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the millions of followers and admirers across the world,” Modi said.
Deeply saddened by the passing of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. He was a visionary, who dedicated his life to service and spirituality. His contributions in areas like health, education, rural development and women empowerment will continue to inspire several people. I… pic.twitter.com/ef2lMIQ6H0
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 5, 2025
Several restoration projects have been undertaken in India by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.
Among them are Humayun’s Tomb, Sunder Nursery and Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti in New Delhi, Qutb Shahi Royal Tombs in Hyderabad and Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan’s Mausoleum in the national capital.
Located in the heart of New Delhi, the Nizamuddin Heritage Precinct is a dynamic project that merges cultural preservation with socio-economic development. Its goal is to enhance the quality of life for local residents while creating a new, vibrant green space for both Delhiites and visitors.
The precinct encompasses key historical landmarks, including Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti, Sunder Nursery, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Humayun’s Tomb. The area is named after the revered 14th-century saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, whose presence in the region has made it a significant site for tomb building, with many believing it to be auspicious to be buried near a saint’s resting place.
Following the successful restoration of Humayun’s Tomb, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) turned its focus to the Qutb Shahi Royal Tombs in Hyderabad, India. These tombs are part of the Quli Qutb Shah Heritage Park, a significant historical site established during the reign of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty, which ruled the Hyderabad region for 170 years, from the 16th to the 17th centuries.
Situated to the northwest of Golconda Fort, a once-thriving hill fort that flourished from the late 15th century until 1591/999 AH, the Qutb Shahi Tombs are the final resting places of the entire dynasty, with the notable exception of Sultan Abulhasan Tana Shah, who was exiled to Aurangabad.
The tombs are spread across a low plateau, each featuring a distinctive design: an onion dome atop a square tomb, surrounded by an arcade adorned with intricate ornamental details, and corner minarets. Built using local granite and plaster, these tombs stand as a testament to the architectural brilliance of the Qutb Shahi period.
In 2020, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) successfully completed the conservation of the Mausoleum of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan in Delhi, India. Rahim, the Commander-in-Chief of the Mughal army, was a distinguished noble in Emperor Akbar’s court, renowned for his roles as a statesman, linguist, humanitarian, patron of the arts, and poet.
The mausoleum, constructed in 1598, was originally built by Rahim for his beloved wife, Mah Banu. It stands as one of his most remarkable architectural legacies, influenced by the design of Humayun’s Tomb and serving as an inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Following his death, Rahim himself was also laid to rest in this impressive monument, which remains a symbol of his enduring legacy.
