Prince Karim, 88, was given the title of “His Highness” by Queen Elizabeth in July 1957, two weeks after his grandfather, the Aga Khan III, unexpectedly made him heir to the family’s 1,300-year dynasty as leader of the Ismaili Muslim sect.

The accession ceremony of  Prince Rahim al-Hussaini Aga Khan V as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims was held on Tuesday, February 11, in Lisbon, Portugal. The private religious ceremony at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat,

Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV and 49th Imam of Nizari Ismaili Muslims, died February 4. He was 88. The Aga Khan’s eldest son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, has been designated the Aga Khan V.

By Bruce Pannier Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of some 15 million Ismaili Muslims worldwide, died in Portugal on February 4 aged 88. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) announced the passing of the “49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad” on their website.

Last week, Prince Rahim al-Hussaini ’95 was named the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims after his father, the former leader, passed away on Feb. 4. Al-Hussaini is now Aga Khan V, a title given to the 50th imam of the Nizari Ismaili branch of Shia Islam.