Media Source: The News International (Pakistan)
Date: 21 February 2025
His Highness the Aga Khan IV was the Imam of the Ismaili Muslims who are said to be about 15 million in number and reside in more than 30 countries. They are concentrated in Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and East Africa. They also have a large presence in Canada. Though the Ismaili Imamat goes back 13 centuries, this…
His Highness the Aga Khan IV was the Imam of the Ismaili Muslims who are said to be about 15 million in number and reside in more than 30 countries. They are concentrated in Central Asia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and East Africa. They also have a large presence in Canada. Though the Ismaili Imamat goes back 13 centuries, this 49th hereditary Imam was a leader of the times. Obviously, the principal role of the Imam was to interpret the faith for his followers and to strive for the improvement of the quality and security of their lives. However, he also shaped a global vision of tolerance by building bridges between faiths and creating institutions that are meant to serve entire communities. Now, the world has condoled the demise of Prince Karim Aga Khan, who was 88 and had become the Imam when he was 20. “There is so much to be said about him but I can only touch upon some personal memories and experiences that relate to the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in the little space that I have…Let me name the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) that brought about a revolution in the northern areas, particularly in Hunza. I have some knowledge of it because I had a tour of the project as the spouse of a member of its board of governors many years ago,” writes Ghazi Salahuddin, senior journalist at The News International.