Davos (Switzerland): Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, passed away on February 4, 2025, in Lisbon at the age of 88, surrounded by family.
Karim Al-Hussaini was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which has announced that the process for selecting his successor will begin shortly. Leaders and staff of the network have expressed their condolences to Prince Karim Aga Khan’s family and the global Ismaili community.
In a statement on X, the Aga Khan Development Network said, “As we honour the legacy of our founder, Prince Karim Aga Khan, we continue to collaborate with our partners to enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities worldwide, as he wished, regardless of their religious backgrounds or origins.”
The AKDN focuses on improving the lives of those in need, primarily in Asia and Africa, as outlined on its official website. Operating in over 30 countries, the network manages more than 1,000 programs and institutions, many of which have been in place for over 60 years, with some exceeding 100 years.
The AKDN employs approximately 96,000 people, mostly in developing nations, with an annual budget of around USD 1 billion for its non-profit development initiatives. The economic development branch, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, generates about USD 4 billion in annual revenues, with all profits reinvested into further development efforts, particularly in fragile, remote, or post-conflict areas.