Prince Karim Aga Khan IV greets students on a visit to the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, Kenya. AKDN / Gary Otte
Our Founder
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was the founder of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. For him, one manifestation of his hereditary responsibilities was a deep engagement with development for more than 65 years.
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV was born on 13 December 1936, in Geneva, son of the late Prince Aly Khan and his first wife, the late Princess Tajuddawlah, née Joan Yarde-Buller. He spent his early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya.
On 11 July 1957, at the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III as the 49th Imam, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community. He led the Ismaili community for 67 years, a period of enormous change.
In the context of his role as Imam, Aga Khan IV’s concern was to interpret the faith for the Ismaili Muslim community and to take a lead in improving their quality of life as well as improving the quality of life of the people amongst whom his community live.
To this end, and guided by the ethical principles of Islam, he established AKDN, a group of private, international, non-denominational agencies, working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest most vulnerable parts of the developing world.
In recognition of his exceptional efforts and contributions to human development and improving the social condition of societies globally, Aga Khan IV received numerous decorations, honorary degrees, and awards from institutions and nations across the world.
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