Aga Khan IV

Prince Karīm al-Hussaynī Āgā Khān IV
Born	(1936-12-13) December 13, 1936 Geneva, Switzerland
Spouse(s)	Princess Salimah Āgā Khān (1969 – 1995) Begum Inaara Āgā Khān (1998 – current)
Children	Princess Zahra Āgā Khān Prince Rahim Āgā Khān Prince Hussain Āgā Khān Prince Aly Muhammad Āgā Khān
Parent(s)	Prince Aly Khān Joan, Viscountess Camrose

Karīm al-Hussaynī, Āgā Khān IV KBE CC GCC, GCIH (Arabic: سمو الأمیر شاہ کریم الحسیني آغا خان الرابع) (born December 13, 1936) is the current (49th) Imām of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. He has been in this position, and held the title of Āgā Khān, since July 11, 1957. The Ismailis are ethnically and culturally diverse and reside in over 35 countries around the world. A modern Muslim leader, the Āgā Khān is responsible for the interpretation of the faith for his followers and as part of the office of the Imamate, he endeavors to improve the quality of their lives and of the communities in which they live. In the Shia tradition of Islam, it is the mandate of the Imam of the time to safeguard the individual's right to personal intellectual search and to give practical expression to the ethical vision of society that the Islamic message inspires.

The Āgā Khān is referred to by members of his community as Mawlana Hāzar Imām (حاضر إمام, "Present Imām"). Since his ascension to the Imamat, the Āgā Khān has witnessed complex political and economic changes which have affected his followers, including independence of African countries from colonial rule, expulsion of Asians from Uganda, the independence of Central Asian countries such as Tajikistan from the former Soviet Union, and the continuing turmoil in Afghanistan and Pakistan

The Āgā Khān has been particularly interested in the elimination of global poverty; the advancement of the status of women; the promotion of Islamic culture, art, and architecture; and furthering pluralistic values in society. He is the founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network, one of the largest private development networks in the world, which works towards social, economic, and cultural development in Asia and Africa.

Birth and childhood

Born Prince Karim Khan [about Karim Aga Khan]or [Aga Khan IV], the Āgā Khān IV is the eldest son of Prince Aly Khān, a great Pakistani leader of independence (1911–1960) and his first wife French-born Princess Tajudowlah, formerly the Hon. Joan Barbara Yarde-Buller (1908–1997). Born in Geneva, Switzerland on December 13, 1936, Karim Khan was declared healthy despite being born prematurely. The Āgā Khān's brother, Prince Amyn, was born less than a year later. Their parents divorced in 1949 and Prince Aly Khān later married Rita Hayworth, a well-known American actress, with whom he had a daughter, Princess Yasmin Āgā Khān, half-sister of the Āgā Khān.

The Āgā Khān spent his childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, where his early education was done by private tutoring. His grandfather, Āgā Khān III, engaged Mustafa Kamil, a scholar from Aligarh Muslim University, for both Prince Karim and Prince Amyn. The Āgā Khān later attended the Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland. He graduated from Harvard University in 1959 with a BA Honors Degree in Islamic history. In 2005, he was awarded a honorary doctorate by the prestigious American University of Beirut, Lebanon.

Marriages

The Āgā Khān married a prominent English fashion model, Sarah (Sally) Croker-Poole, titled HH Begum Salima Āgā Khān, on 22 October1969 (civil) and 28 October1969 (religious), at his home in Paris, France. The couple were married for 25 years, during which they had three children: Princess Zahra Āgā Khān (b. September 18, 1970), Prince Rahim Āgā Khān (b. October 12, 1971), and Prince Hussain Āgā Khān (b. April 10, 1974). Their marriage ended by divorce in 1995.

The Āgā Khān married his second wife, HSH Dr. Gabriele Princess of Leiningen (née Gabriele Thyssen), in Aiglemont on 30 May, 1998. She holds a doctorate of law. Prior to the marriage, the bride converted to Islām, and the couple jointly chose the bride's new Muslim name "Inaara" (derived from Arabic nur, meaning "light"). She is now the HH the Begum Āgā Khān. By her, the Āgā Khān has a son, Prince Aly Muhammad Āgā Khān (b. 7 March 2000), and a stepdaughter, HSH Princess Theresa of Leiningen, who is 110th in line to the throne of the United Kingdom. On 8 October, 2004, an announcement was made that the Āgā Khān and the Begum Āgā Khān were to seek a divorce.

Personal Wealth and Income

His personal wealth has been estimated as exceeding $1 billion. His annual income is estimated to be $300m. Business interests include hotels and airlines, and he has also invested in a tourist complex in Sardinia.

Imamat of Shi'a Ismaili Community

Following the death of his grandfather, Sultan Muhammed Shah Āgā Khān, Prince Karim, at the age of 20, became the 49th Imām of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, bypassing his father, Prince Aly Khān, and his uncle, Prince Sadruddin Āgā Khān, who were in the direct line of succession.

In his will, the Āgā Khān III explained the rationale for choosing his eldest grandson as his successor:

"In view of the fundamentally altered conditions in the world in very recent years due to the great changes that have taken place, including the discoveries of atomic science, I am convinced that it is in the best interests of the Shia Muslim Ismaili community that I should be succeeded by a young man who has been brought up and developed during recent years and in the midst of the new age, and who brings a new outlook on life to his office."

In light of the sentiments expressed in his grandfather's will, the Āgā Khān has sometimes been referred to by Ismailis as the Imam of the Atomic Age.

Upon becoming the Imam, the Āgā Khān stated that he intended to continue the work his grandfather had pursued in building modern institutions to improve the quality of life of the Ismaili community. Takht nashini (installation) ceremonies occurred at several locations over 1957 and 1958. During this time, the Āgā Khān emphasized to his followers the importance of fostering positive relations amongst peoples of different races; such a message was highly appropriate given the racially tense atmosphere in East Africa. During the installation ceremonies in the Indian subcontinent, he stressed his commitment to improving the quality of life of Ismailis and encouraged cooperation with individuals of other faiths and races. The main themes that the Āgā Khān emphasized during these first few months of his Imamat were development, education, interracial harmony, and faith in religion. He elaborated on this concept in a 2006 speech in Germany stating, “The role and responsibility of an Imam, therefore, is both to interpret the faith to the community, and also to do all within his means to improve the quality, and security of their daily lives.”. This engagement is not limited to the Ismaili community but also extends to the people with whom the Ismailis share their lives, locally and internationally.

Promotion of Islamic architecture

In 1977, the Aga Khan established the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, a premier award recognizing excellence in architecture that encompasses contemporary design and social, historical, and environmental considerations. It is the largest architectural award in the world and is granted triennially. The award grew out of the Aga Khan’s desire to revitalize creativity in Islamic societies and acknowledge creative solutions to needs for buildings and public spaces. The recipient is selected by an independent Master Jury convened for each cycle. In 1979, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) both established the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture (AKPIA) which is supported by an endowment from the Aga Khan. These programs provide degree courses, public lectures, and conferences for the study of Islamic architecture and urbanism. Understanding contemporary conditions and developmental issues are key components of the academic program.

Aga Khan Development Network

The Aga Khan is founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the largest private development networks in the world. Its partners include numerous governments and several international organizations. AKDN agencies operate in social and economic development as well as in the field of culture, with special focus on countries of the Third World.

The network includes the Aga Khan University (AKU), the University of Central Asia (UCA), the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC), the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), the Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), the Aga Khan Planning and Building Services (AKPBS), the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM), and more. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture (AKAA)is the largest architectural award in the world.

In addition, Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS), an affiliate of the AKDN, is responsible for emergency response in the face of disaster. Recent examples include the massive earthquake in Pakistan (AKDN earthquake response) and the South Asian Tsunami.

He is also the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Institute of Ismaili Studies, which he founded in 1977.

Significant recent or current projects led by the Āgā Khān include the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat on Sussex Drive in Ottawa, Canada, the Global Centre for Pluralism (GCP) in Ottawa, Canada, the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada, the Al-Azhar Park ([1]) in Cairo, Egypt, and a network of full IB residential schools known as the Aga Khan Academies (AKA}. See [2] In 2002, Aga Khan pledged $75 million for the rebuilding of Afghanistan. The pledge was the largest by any single donor and more than many countries.

See Global education and the developing world On 40th Anniversary, at the Annual General Meeting in Atlanta, the Peterson Lecture was delivered by lecturer His Highness the Aga Khan.

The Aga Khan has expressed concern about the work of the AKDN being described as philanthropy. In his address to the Tutzing Evangelical Academy in Germany, he described this concern:

Reflecting a certain historical tendency of the West to separate the secular from the religious, they often describe [the work of the AKDN] either as philanthropy or entrepreneurship. What is not understood is that this work is for us a part of our institutional responsibility -- it flows from the mandate of the office of Imam to improve the quality of worldly life for the concerned communities.

Awards

The Aga Khan has been recognized by several national and international organizations for his service to humanity.

In an audience with Queen Elizabeth II on July 26, 1957, Her Majesty addressed the Aga Khan as Your Highness in recognition of the Aga Khan's royal status. On August 12, 1957, the Sultan of Zanzibar invested the title of Brilliant Star of Zanzibar. During his visit to Iran for ten days, the Shah of Iran awarded him the title of His Royal Highness on October 24, 1959. He visited Goa for the first time, where the Portuguese government conferred the title of Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry on October 27, 1960. The President of Ivory Coast decorated the Aga Khan with the title of Grand Cross of the National Order on August 4, 1965. On his way to Europe, the Aga Khan alighted at Ugadaught, the capital of Upper Volta in West Africa, when the President awarded him title of National Order on August 5, 1965. He arrived in Tananarive, the capital of Malagasy, where the President awarded him the title of Grand Cross of the National Order of Malagache Republic on November 15, 1966. The President of Comore Island, Sayed Muhammad Shaikh awarded the Aga Khan the title of Grand Cross of the Green Crescent on November 20, 1966. It was his first visit to Pakistan with his wife when the President of Pakistan granted the title of Nishan-e-Imtiaz on January 15, 1970. The Prime Minister of Italy, Giulio Andreotti had personally received the Aga Khan on December 8, 1977 at the Palazzo Chigi, and awarded Italy's highest national award, namely Order of the Knight of the Grand Cross in recognition of his role in the development of Sardinia's economy. The Aga Khan was also honoured the title of Gran Croce Della Republica Italiana by the government of Italy in 1978. His Majesty King Hassan II of Morocco conferred the grand cordon of Ouissam al-Arch, the highest Moroccon honour upon the Aga Khan on November 26, 1986 at Rabat at a dinner hosted to him at the royal palace. Dignitaries like His Royal Highness Prince Bender bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia, the Prime Minister of Morocco, Azeddina Laraki etc. were also present in the ceremony. On October 26, 1988, Italy's President Francesco Cossiga invested the Imam the title of The Order of the Cavaliere del Lavoro at Rome, and he was the first Muslim to be so honoured in Italy. On November 7, 1990, the French President Francois Mitterand, awarded the Aga Khan at Paris, the highest national honour of Commander of the Legion d'Honneur, established by Nepoleon Bonaparte in 1802.

The World Monuments Fund recently honoured the Aga Khan IV with its prestigious Hadrian Award for his vigorous and fruitful efforts to preserve and revitalise historic cities in Islamic world on October 28, 1996 at New York.

In the 2003 New Year Honours list he was named Knight Commander in the Order of the British Empire (KBE) "for services to international development, especially in Asia and Africa, and to UK-French relations."

Other examples of note include the 2005 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Philanthropy, the 2005 Die Quadriga and the 2005 Vincent Scully Prize. He was also named Honorary Companion of the Order of Canada, one of only five non-Canadians ever to receive this honour.

On August 13, 2007, the Aga Khan became a Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya.[3]

On April 23, 2008, His Highness the Aga Khan was awarded the Grand Cross of the National Order of Mali by President Amadou Toumani Touré during a state banquet at the President’s Palace at Koulouba.

On June 5, 2008, the Aga Khan was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws by Harvard University.

On June 30, 2008, the Aga Khan was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws by National University of Ireland.

Thoroughbred horse racing

At his Aiglemont estate, at Gouvieux in the Picardie region of France, about 4 kilometres west of the Chantilly Racecourse in Chantilly, France, he operates the largest horse racing and breeding operation in the country. In 1977, he paid £1.3 million for the bloodstock owned by Anna Dupre and in 1978, £4.7 million for the bloodstock of late Marcel Boussac.

The Aga Khan owns Gilltown Stud near Kilcullen, Ireland and Haras de Bonneval breeding farm at Le Mesnil-Mauger in France. In March of 2005, he purchased the famous Calvados stud farms, the Haras d'Ouilly in Pont-d'Ouilly and the Haras de Val-Henry in Livarot. Haras d'Ouilly had been owned by such famous horsemen as the Duc Decazes, François Dupré and Jean-Luc Lagardere.

In 2006, the Aga Khan became the majority shareholder of Arqana, a French horse auction house.

Future plans

In his Golden Jubilee year (July 2007-July 2008), the Aga Khan has announced plans to start numerous projects, one being a Global Center for Pluralism in Canada whose goal is to be internationally recognized as a method of promoting Islamic awareness and promoting a pluralistic attitude in society. He will be opening a Museum in Toronto.

Children

By HH Begum Salima Āgā Khān (formerly Sarah (Sally) Croker-Poole);

• Princess Zahra Āgā Khān (b. September 18 1970)
• Prince Rahim Āgā Khān (b. October 12, 1971)
• Prince Hussain Āgā Khān (b. April 10, 1974)

By HH Begum Inaara Aga Khan HSH (formeraly Dr. Gabriele Princess of Leiningen (née Gabriele Thyssen));

• Prince Aly Muhammad Āgā Khān (b. March 7, 2000)
• HSH Princess Theresa of Leiningen (stepdaughter)

See also

• Aga Khan
• Begum Aga Khan
• Nizari Ismailis

External links

• About His Highness the Aga Khan (AKDN)
• About His Highness the Karim Aga Khan
• About Her Highness the Begum Aga Khan (PIF)
• Aga Khan Development Network
• The Institute of Ismaili Studies
• Aga Khan article at SIPA (Columbia University)
• Brown University President Vartan Gregorian's introduction of the Aga Khan (1996 baccalaureate address)
• The Ismaili website