On February 4, 2025, Karim Al-Hussaini, known as Aga Khan IV, passed away in Lisbon at the age of 88. He was the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. His family was by his side during his passing.
Aga Khan IV was the founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people in need, primarily in Asia and Africa. The network operates in over 30 countries and runs more than 1,000 programs and institutions.
The AKDN has announced that the process of selecting Aga Khan IV's successor will begin soon. The network's leaders and staff have expressed their condolences to his family and the global Ismaili community. In a statement, the AKDN emphasized its commitment to continuing the work of its founder, focusing on improving lives regardless of religious affiliations or origins.
The AKDN employs approximately 96,000 people, mostly in developing countries, and has an annual budget of around USD 1 billion for non-profit activities. Its economic development arm, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, generates annual revenues of USD 4 billion, with all surpluses reinvested in development activities.
Karim Aga Khan IV was a leader of a group of Muslims called Shia Ismaili Muslims. He was an important religious figure and helped many people through his work.
Shia Ismaili Muslims are a group within the larger Muslim community. They follow a specific branch of Islam and have their own religious leader called an Imam.
An Imam is a religious leader in Islam. For Shia Ismaili Muslims, the Imam is a very important person who guides them in their faith.
The Aga Khan Development Network is an organization that helps improve people's lives in many countries. It works on projects like education, health, and building communities.
Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal, a country in Europe. It is known for its beautiful buildings and rich history.
USD 1 billion is a lot of money, about 7,500 crore rupees. This is the amount the AKDN uses every year for helping people through its projects.
The economic arm of the AKDN is a part of the organization that makes money through businesses. This money is then used to help fund their projects to improve lives.
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