Celebrations and social service mark Prince Rahim Aga Khan V’s maiden Indian visit

The Shia Ismaili Muslim community in Mumbai is celebrating the visit of Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary Imam or spiritual leader of the global Shia Ismailis. This is Prince Rahim’s first visit to India after his ascension to the Imamat (office of the Imam) after the passing of his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, on 4 February 2025. The community is marking the occasion of their Imam's maiden visit with a series of events-including Sufi qawwali nights, food distribution drives and community outreach. Apart from the celebrations, the Imam's visit also serves "as a reminder of the responsibility of the community to be good citizens, embrace pluralism and build bridges across communities," says Sophia Premjee, member, Aga Khan Council for India. "We are guided to live ethically, live responsibly, and be of service to others. These are values that our Imam has encouraged us to live by, not merely speak about." Prince Rahim, who worked closely with his late father, has been lauded for his attention to AKDN’s poverty alleviation programmes. His visit, says senior community member and MLA Amin Patel, has greatly excited the community. Patel was also present when His Highness met Shahzada Husain Burhanuddin, son of Dawoodi Bohra head Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. “The meeting reflected the warmth and mutual respect that have long defined the relationship between our two communities. We discussed the shared paths our communities have taken in serving humanity-particularly through education, healthcare and welfare, and look forward to keeping that spirit alive," says a Dawoodi Bohra community spokesperson.