Prince Karim / Agha Khan IV/ پرنس کریم آغا خان / آغا خان چہارم

Prince Karim / Agha Khan IV
Prince Karim al-Hussaini (13 December 1936 – 4 February 2025), famously known as Aga Khan IV, was the 49th Imam of the Nizari Ismailis from 1957 until his passing in 2025. He assumed the role of Imam and the title of Aga Khan at the young age of just 20, following the death of his grandfather, Aga Khan III. Among his Ismaili followers, he was also known by the religious title "Mawlana Hazar Imam" until his demise on 4 February 2025.

Aga Khan IV was born on 13 December 1936 in Geneva, Switzerland. He was the eldest son of Prince Aly Khan (1911–1960) and his first wife, Princess Tajuddawlah Aga Khan (formerly Joan Yarde-Buller). His mother belonged to the British aristocracy, being the eldest daughter of John Yarde-Buller, 3rd Baron Churston.

Though born prematurely, he enjoyed good health. His brother, Prince Amyn Aga Khan, was born a year later in 1937. In 1949, his parents divorced, partly due to Prince Aly Khan's extramarital affairs. Later, Prince Aly Khan married the American actress Rita Hayworth, with whom he had a daughter, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, the half-sister of Aga Khan IV. He also had a stepbrother, Patrick Benjamin Guinness (1931–1965), from his mother’s first marriage to Loel Guinness.

Prince Karim spent the war years in Nairobi, Kenya, where he received his early education through private tutors. He later attended the Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, known as the world's most expensive boarding school, where, by his own admission, he achieved "average" grades. Though he aspired to study science at MIT, his grandfather, Aga Khan III, did not grant permission. Consequently, he pursued Islamic history at Harvard University, where he became a member of the prestigious Delphic Club.

When his grandfather passed away, the young Prince was suddenly entrusted with the role of Imam. He was an ordinary university student, known for his humility among peers. Reflecting on that moment, he once said:

"In one night, my entire life changed. I found myself in a position of immense responsibility for millions of people. I knew then that I would have to abandon my dream of earning a doctorate in history."

In 1959, two years after becoming Imam, he graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, earning cum laude honors. He was also awarded the "Varsity H" for his contributions to the university football team.

A passionate skier in his youth, he represented Britain in the 1962 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships and competed for Iran in the 1964 Winter Olympics.

After the passing of his grandfather, Prince Karim became the 49th Imam of the Nizari Ismailis and Aga Khan IV at the age of just 20, even though his father, Prince Aly Khan, and uncle, Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, were considered close contenders for the role. Aga Khan III explained in his will why he chose his eldest grandson over his son as successor.

Thus, the Nizari Ismailis revered him with the title "Imam of the Time." His will also stated that, in the early years, he should seek general guidance from his grandmother, Begum Om Habiba Aga Khan.

Upon assuming the Imamate, Aga Khan IV declared his commitment to continue his grandfather’s mission of improving the lives of the Ismaili community through the establishment of modern institutions. His enthronement ceremonies were held in various locations between 1957 and 1958, where he emphasized the importance of building positive relations with other nations.

On 27 February 2014, Aga Khan IV became the first religious leader to address a joint session of the Canadian Parliament.

Between 11 July 1982 and 11 July 1983, during the Silver Jubilee marking the 25th anniversary of his Imamate, numerous social and economic development projects were launched.

From 11 July 2007 to 13 December 2008, the Golden Jubilee was celebrated, marking 50 years of his leadership. During this time, Ismaili leaders from around the world gathered at his residence, and Aga Khan IV undertook several state visits to various countries.

Between 11 July 2017 and 11 July 2018, his Diamond Jubilee marked 60 years of his Imamate.

Aga Khan IV passed away on 4 February 2025, at the age of 88, in Lisbon, Portugal. In his will, he named his son, Prince Rahim al-Hussaini, as his successor — now Aga Khan V and the 50th Imam of the Ismailis. Following his passing, many global leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, paid tribute to him.

On 8 February, a private funeral was held in Lisbon, attended by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas, community leaders, and foreign dignitaries, including Justin Trudeau and former Spanish King Juan Carlos I.

On 9 February, he was laid to rest at the Mausoleum of Aga Khan in Aswan, Egypt, which is also the resting place of his grandfather.

Видео Prince Karim / Agha Khan IV/ پرنس کریم آغا خان / آغا خان چہارم канала Kalmati Tales