News Summary

The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims, passed away at the age of 88 in Lisbon. As the 49th hereditary imam and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, he became the leader of millions of Ismailis at the young age of 20. Throughout his life, he was a prominent philanthropist, founding the Aga Khan Development Network, which operates in over 30 countries with an annual budget of about $1 billion, focusing on healthcare, education, and rural development. His contributions extended to architecture and cultural preservation, with initiatives like the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto and architectural programs at MIT and Harvard. Despite his vast wealth, he emphasized social responsibility and was seen as a bridge-builder between Muslim societies and the West. His successor will be announced following his will’s reading in Lisbon.