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The Nairobian

Global leaders mourn Aga Khan IV

National

By Mate Tongola | Feb 05, 2025

**His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV passed away peacefully in Lisbon on 4 February 2025, aged 88**. [AFP]

World leaders are paying tribute to His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Shia Muslim community, following his death in Lisbon, Portugal.

President William Ruto described Aga Khan, 88, as an extraordinary leader who dedicated his life to helping the vulnerable through his charitable work in healthcare and education.

“We are saddened by the passing of The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims. Our thoughts are with his family and the wider Ismaili community. Rest in peace,” Ruto wrote on X.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referred to Aga Khan as a longtime family friend and “an extraordinarily compassionate global leader.”

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“He was passionate about Canada and will be deeply missed by people around the world, particularly the Ismaili community,” said Trudeau.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif eulogised him as a man of “vision, faith, and generosity.”

“His contributions transcended borders, bringing hope and progress to communities in need,” Sharif said.

Other African leaders who mourned the philanthropist include Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her Zanzibar counterpart Hussein Mwinyi.

“It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of His Highness Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader and founder of the Aga Khan Development Network. We join you in mourning the loss of a great leader and a visionary, whose work has touched and changed the lives of millions of people around the world,” said Suluhu.

Former Kenya premier Raila Odinga expressed his grief on X, terming Aga Khan’s death a major loss.

“He has left the world at a time of uncertainty and anxiety—just when we needed his wisdom, tolerance, empathy, and moral leadership the most.”

He added that Aga Khan’s humanitarian work and investments in Kenya would leave a lasting impact.

The Aga Khan Development Network announced that details about his successor would follow.

According to the Diwan of Ismaili Imamat, the 50th Imam has been designated and will be announced in the coming days, after the Aga Khan IV’s will is read.