Prince Rahim Aga Khan V named 50th imam as Ismaili Muslims mourn spiritual leader

• New imam is eldest son of the late Aga Khan IV, Princess Salimah.
• President, PM offer heartfelt sympathies to family, community.
• GB govt declares 3-day mourning on Prince Karim's passing.

Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan has been named the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community, following the passing of Mawlana Shah Karim Aga Khan IV, according to the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) on social media.

Prince Karim Aga Khan, renowned for his triumphs in horse racing, immense wealth, and global development work, breathed his last in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of 88 on Tuesday.

A post on the AKDN social media page said the announcement was made in Lisbon on Wednesday, where the late Imam’s will was read in the presence of his family and senior community leaders. 

"In keeping with the centuries-old tradition of nass — the formal designation of a successor — the mantle of leadership has now passed to Mawlana Shah Rahim Aga Khan V," read a post on the Ismaili social media website.

The announcement adds that the new Imam inherits the spiritual and institutional leadership of the Ismaili community. 

As the community comes to terms with the loss of its beloved 49th Imam, it now looks to Prince Rahim Aga Khan V to guide them into a new era, the post on AKDN page said.

Who is Prince Rahim Aga Khan V?

Born on October 12, 1971, Prince Rahim is the eldest son of the late Aga Khan IV and his first wife, Princess Salimah — née Sarah Croker Poole — a British ex-model. The couple had a daughter and two sons together.

Rahim has two sons through his marriage with former American fashion model Kendra Spears.

The 50th Ismaili imam has closely followed the work of the Institute of Ismaili Studies and the Ismaili community’s social governance institutions, serving as chairman of the AKDN's Environment and Climate Committee.

"Prince Rahim has been particularly concerned with the AKDN's drive to protect the environment and mitigate the effects of climate change," it said, also highlighting his attention to the institution's work "addressing the needs of those living in the greatest poverty".

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.

The billionaire philanthropist

The name of late Prince Karim Aga Khan, who was the 49th hereditary imam or spiritual leader of the world's 15 million Ismailis, also became synonymous with success as a racehorse owner, with the thoroughbred Shergar among his most famous.

Estimates of his wealth varied from $800 million to $13 billion, with his money coming from his family inheritance, his horse breeding business and his personal investments in tourism and real estate.

The international jet setter — who held British, French, Swiss and Portuguese citizenship — also poured millions into helping people in the poorest parts of the world.

President, PM extend condolences

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and others offered heartfelt sympathies to the family and the Ismaili community on the passing of their spiritual leader.

President Zardari, who is on an official visit to China, in his statement, said that Pakistan lost a great friend, who had made great contributions towards the uplift of Pakistan’s social sector, particularly in the health, education and community development. 

“The invaluable services of Prince Karim Aga Khan for humanity will always be remembered”, President Secretariat Press Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying.

PM Shehbaz in a message on X paid tribute to the late Aga Khan for all his philanthropic efforts that hope and development to countless communities all over the world.

Saying that Pakistan mourns Prince Karim's loss and cherishes his inspiring legacy, Deputy PM Dar in his message said: "His unwavering commitment to improving communities worldwide leaves an indelible legacy."  

GB govt announces three-day mourning

Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan’s (GB) government on Wednesday declared three days of mourning following the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan. 

In an official statement, GB Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan expressed deep sorrow and prayed for the departed soul.

According to a notification, the national flag will be flown at half-mast in tribute to Prince Karim Aga Khan from February 5 to 7, while all official events will be held with simplicity in the GB. 

Additionally, Thursday, February 6 has been declared a public holiday across the region.

Paying tribute to the late imam's contributions, the GB chief minister hailed his remarkable services in education, health, welfare, and cultural preservation. 

He also assured the bereaved family and the Ismaili community that his government stands with them in this time of grief.

The world's Ismaili community comprises around 15 million members who live in Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and North America.