Draft:Rahim Aga Khan
| Rahim Aga Khan | |
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| File:Rahim Aga Khan.webp | |
| Name | Rahim Aga Khan |
| Other Names | Shah Rahim al-Husseini
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| Personal Details | |
| Birth Place | Switzerland Geneva
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| Brith Date | {{{birth_date}}} |
| Death Place | {{{death_place}}} |
| Death Date | {{{death_date}}} |
| Religion | Islam |
Rahim Aga Khan, with titles such as "Shah Rahim al-Husseini" and "Aga Khan V", is the 50th Imam of Nizari Ismailism who was chosen for the Imamate of this group after the death of Karim Aga Khan on 4 February 2025, according to his recommendation and will. The establishment of the Aga Khan Brown Workshop series at the Watson Institute and being head of the "Aga Khan Development Network" are among his economic activities and performing humanitarian affairs in poor and developing countries are among his public welfare activities.
Background
Based on historical evidence, after the martyrdom of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), the sixth Imam of Shias, divisions occurred within the Shias. A larger group named Twelver Shia, believed in the Imamate of Imam Musa al-Kazim (peace be upon him) the son of Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), and the chain continued until Muhammad al-Mahdi, the Imam whose appearance they await. Some also under the title Ismailism found belief in the Imamate of Ismail ibn Jafar, the eldest son of Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him). Later, another division occurred within Ismailism, and it began with the death of the 18th Ismaili Imam, al-Mustansir Billah the eighth Caliph of the Fatimid Empire stationed in 488 AH. And his two sons entered into conflict over succession. One of the two sons was Nizar, who was designated by the father as the main heir, the other, his younger brother, Ahmad al-Musta'li, who ascended the throne with the help of Al-Afdal Shahanshah, the vizier and commander of the Egyptian army. Based on this succession dispute, the Ismaili community was divided into two factions Nizari and Musta'li.
Etymology of Aga Khan
The titles Prince and Princess are used by Aga Khan and his children in foreign media due to their lineage. Accordingly, their lineage goes back to Qajar dynasty and Fath-Ali Shah. This title was recognized by the British government in 1938.
Biography
Rahim Aga Khan was born in the year 1971 CE, in Geneva and is the eldest son of Karim Aga Khan. His first wife was named Salima Aga Khan and after 26 years of shared life in the year 1995 CE, while they had three children named Zahra Aga Khan, Rahim Aga Khan, and Hussein Aga Khan, they separated from each other. In the year 2013 CE, he married Kendra Spears, a former American model, who converted to Islam after marriage and chose the name Salwa and they had two sons, but their marriage ended in separation in the year 2022 CE.
Education
He completed his secondary education at Phillips Academy in Massachusetts in the year 1990 CE, and graduated from Brown University United States with a bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature in the year 1995 CE.
Economic Activities
In the year 2006 CE, he completed an executive development program in management and administration at IESE Business School, University of Navarra in Barcelona Spain. In 2010, he established the Aga Khan Brown Workshop series at the Watson Institute. Rahim Aga Khan (Aga Khan V), is head of the "Aga Khan Development Network" and chairs the Environment and Climate Committee and co-chairs the Budget Review Committees (AKDN). Rahim is a member of the board of directors or executive committee of several agencies and structures affiliated with the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Development Network Foundation. He is also a member of the Aga Khan Microfinance Agency and Aga Khan Trust for Culture. He regularly monitors programs and other projects on the "Aga Khan Development Network" website, including dozens of different agencies, and is present for humanitarian activities in poor and developing countries. This network was established by Rahim Aga Khan's father, Karim Aga Khan and he himself, who recently passed away, was considered the 32nd wealthiest person in England. This institute awards annual prizes in the fields of environment and music and is mainly concerned with health and treatment, housing, education, and rural economic development issues. This organization works in more than 30 countries and has an annual budget of about 1 billion dollars for non-profit development activities. And a network of hospitals named Aga Khan is scattered in places where healthcare for the poorest people including Bangladesh, Tajikistan and Afghanistan exists, for which he has spent tens of millions of dollars to develop local economies.
Method of Selecting Ismaili Leaders
Ismailism is one of the sects of Imami. Ismailis take their name from Ismail ibn Jafar, the son of Imam al-Sadiq. Unlike Twelver Shias, who accepted Imam Musa al-Kazim (peace be upon him) the younger brother of Ismail as Imam, they believed Ismail was the successor of Imam al-Sadiq. The Ismaili population is estimated at about 15 million people worldwide. Most Ismaili followers reside in India, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan and some also live in Africa. In this sect, every Imam designates his successor before his death. After the death of Aga Khan IV, Rahim was named the fifth Aga Khan and the 50th hereditary Imam of Ismailism according to his father's will[1].
Receiving Pakistan's Highest Civilian Award
Prince Rahim al-Husseini, during his 2024 AD trip to Pakistan, was awarded the country's highest civilian honor, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, by President Asif Ali Zardari. This award is conferred upon individuals who have rendered distinguished services to Pakistan. The citation for the award states: "Prince Rahim Aga Khan, through his multiple leadership roles in the Aga Khan Development Network, has dedicated over 25 years of his life to improving the quality of life for people in various regions of Asia and Africa."
Views and Opinions
In a 2007 AD interview with The New York Times, Rahim Aga Khan added: If you travel to developing countries, you see that poverty is a factor for despair and sorrow, and can pave the way for any kind of extremism. By helping the poor through business, we are creating a buffer against extremism[2].
See also
Footnotes
Sources
- Ruydad 24 website, Who is Rahim Aga Khan?, Date of publication: 17 Bahman 1403 SH, Date of access: 3 Esfand 1403 SH.
- Amu TV website, Prince Rahim al-Husseini introduced as the fiftieth Imam of the Ismailis, Date of publication: 23 Bahman 1403 SH, Date of access: 3 Esfand 1403 SH.