Renowned philanthropist and spiritual leader Aga Khan has died at the age of 88, his charity the Aga Khan Development Network has announced.
Prince Karim Aga Khan was the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims. The Ismailis — a sect originally centered in India but which expanded to large communities in east Africa, Central and South Asia and the Middle East.
He “passed away peacefully” in Lisbon, Portugal, surrounded by his family, his charity said in a statement on social media.
Born in Switzerland, he had British citizenship and lived in a chateau in France.
The Ismaili community’s website said he became well-known as a horse breeder and owner, and he represented Iran in the 1964 Winter Olympics as a skier. His eye for building and design led him to establish an architecture prize, and programs for Islamic Architecture at MIT and Harvard. He restored ancient Islamic structures throughout the world.
The Aga Khan lived at length in France and had been based in Portugal for the past several years. His development network and foundation are based in Switzerland. The Aga Khan will be buried in Lisbon. The date was not released.
He is survived by three sons and a daughter and several grandchildren.
The Aga Khan’s charities ran hundreds of hospitals, educational and cultural projects, largely in the developing world.
The Aga Khan Development Network said it offered its “condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide”.
“We continue to work with our partners to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities across the world, as he wished, irrespective of their religious affiliations or origins,” it added.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described him as a “symbol of peace, tolerance and compassion in our troubled world.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the prince describing him as a “man of vision, faith, and generosity” and a “remarkable leader.”
“Through his tireless efforts in poverty alleviation, healthcare, and gender equality, he championed the cause of the marginalized, leaving an indelible mark on countless lives,” he said.
“An extraordinarily compassionate global leader,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday, calling him a very good friend. “He will be deeply, deeply missed by people around the world.”
Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Syed Sadatullah Husaini expressed deep sorrow on his passing. “His demise marks the end of an era of extraordinary philanthropic and developmental contributions,” he said.
