Some 350 members of the Ismaili Muslim community in Singapore are among millions across the world who are mourning the death of their spiritual leader Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, who died in Lisbon, Portugal, the seat of the Ismaili Imamat, at age 88 on Tuesday.
“We mourn the passing of the visionary leader, whose legacy of service, education and humanitarian work has transformed millions of lives,” said Mr Zain Fancy, president of the community’s Council for Southeast Asia.
“As we honour his contributions, we also welcome His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V as the 50th hereditary Imam. His leadership in sustainability and economic resilience will guide the community forward, continuing a legacy of pluralism, progress and service to humanity.”
The Aga Khan’s funeral is expected to take place in Lisbon “in the coming days”, as soon as arrangements are finalised, the Imamat said on its website.
The Ismaili Muslim community in Singapore and other places in south-east Asia will congregate at each of the 12 centres for commemorative events.
The Aga Khan, known for his dazzling wealth and development work around the world, headed the world’s Ismaili community, a branch of Shi’ite Islam, which comprises around 15 million people around the world.
A vast majority of the members hail from India and Pakistan, with Gujarat and Mumbai their main centres in India.
The Aga Khan – derived from Turkish and Persian words to mean commanding chief – is believed by Ismailis to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammad.
The Aga Khan, who visited Singapore in 1983, 2008, 2009 and 2012 to meet leaders here, has been at the forefront of the The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which was set up in 1967 to build schools and hospitals and provide electricity for millions of people in the poorest parts of Africa and Asia.
The AKDN’s contributions to Southeast Asia, in particular to Singapore and Malaysia, transcend religious or ethnic lines.
The longstanding relationship between the Ismailis and Singapore’s institutions and communities has been strengthened over the years through the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and Ismaili CIVIC.
Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini was named the 50th leader of the Ismaili Muslims on Wednesday, after the will of his late father was unsealed, the AKDN said.
Born on Oct 12, 1971, the United States-educated, Swiss-based Rahim is the eldest son of the Aga Khan IV and his first wife, Princess Salimah nee Sarah Croker Poole, a British ex-model.
