Synopsis
Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V has been named the 50th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims following his father's death. Born in 1971, he is committed to environmental issues and poverty alleviation through education and training.Key Takeaways
- Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V is the 50th Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims.
- He is a descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his daughter.
- He focuses on environmental protection and climate change.
- He supports education and training for impoverished communities.
- The Ismaili community spans over 35 countries.
Lisbon, February 6 (NationPress) Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V has been officially designated as the 50th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims following the passing of his father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who passed away in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday at the age of 88, in accordance with the longstanding traditions of the Shia Imami Ismaili community.
Born on October 12, 1971, Prince Rahim is the firstborn of the late Prince Karim Aga Khan and his first spouse, Princess Salimah.
Prince Rahim received his education at the Phillips Academy Andover and graduated in 1995 from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and her husband, Hazrat Ali, the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph and the first Shia Imam.
For over 1,400 years, the Ismailis have been guided by a living, hereditary Imam.
The Ismaili population spans over 35 countries, numbering between 12 to 15 million.
He has two sons from his previous marriage with Princess Salwa: Prince Irfan (born in 2015) and Prince Sinan (born in 2017).
Prince Rahim is involved with numerous agencies within the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). He actively oversees the activities of The Institute of Ismaili Studies and community social governance.
His commitment to environmental issues is evident through his role as Chairman of the Environment and Climate Committee within the AKDN.
Furthermore, he is dedicated to alleviating poverty by enhancing the lives of the underprivileged through education, training, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Prince Rahim frequently engages with leaders from government, international organizations, and civil society to fortify connections with the Ismaili Imamat and promote AKDN's mission to uplift marginalized communities.
The Ismailis, a sect of Shia Islam, honor numerous Imams, including Imam Ismail, who passed away in 765 AD.
Originally prominent in India, the Ismailis have established significant populations in East Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East, and they observe a customary practice of donating up to 12.5 percent of their income to the Aga Khan.
