By Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V has been appointed as the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, succeeding his father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who passed away in Lisbon, Portugal.
This succession represents a significant moment for the Ismaili community, which has been guided by a living, hereditary Imam for more than 1,400 years. The Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat confirmed the transition in an official statement released on February 5, 2025.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan V is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny) through his daughter, Hazrat Bibi Fatima, and his cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali, who was both the fourth Rightly Guided Caliph of Islam and the first Shia Imam. His designation as Imam was made in accordance with the historical traditions of the Shia Imami Ismaili faith, as outlined by his late father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
Born on October 12, 1971, Prince Rahim is the eldest son of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and his first wife, Princess Salimah. He pursued his education at Phillips Academy Andover before graduating from Brown University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Literature. Prince Rahim has two sons, Prince Irfan (born in 2015) and Prince Sinan (born in 2017), from his former marriage to Princess Salwa.
Actively involved in the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Prince Rahim serves on the boards of various AKDN agencies and has played a key role in the governance of Ismaili community institutions. He has taken a particular interest in environmental sustainability, chairing the AKDN’s Environment and Climate Committee, and has been a strong advocate for initiatives that mitigate climate change. Additionally, he has worked extensively on poverty alleviation efforts, supporting education, skills development, and economic opportunities for vulnerable populations.
Prince Rahim regularly engages with leaders from governments, international organizations, and civil society to enhance collaboration between the Ismaili Imamat and global institutions. Under his leadership, the AKDN continues its mission of fostering social and economic development across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, bringing meaningful progress to some of the world’s most underserved communities.
