Aga Khan, leader of Ismaili Muslims, dies aged 88

The Aga Khan, imam of the Ismaili Muslims and head of a major development aid foundation, died Tuesday in Lisbon at the age of 88, his foundation announced.

"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," the Aga Khan Development Network said.

"The announcement of his designated successor will follow," the foundation added in a post on X.

Present in multiple countries, notably in central and southern Asia, Africa and the Middle East, the Ismaili community numbers 12 to 15 million, according to its website.

The Aga Khan was the founder and president of his eponymous foundation, which employs 96,000 people and finances development programmes particularly in Asia and Africa.

Agence France-Presse