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.
Although the Ismaili Muslim community is estimated to include only 12 to 15 million people, the Aga Khan has traditionally held a prominent global position, largely due to the family’s wealth and international philanthropic influence.
Al-Hussaini graduated from Brown in 1995 with a degree in comparative literature.
His father, Prince Karim al-Hussaini and the late Aga Khan IV, gave a commencement speech in 1996, where he spoke about improving both the relationship between the Islamic world and the West and the perception of Muslims in Western media.
The University also issued an honorary Doctor of Law degree to Aga Khan IV in 1996.
The late Aga Khan IV returned to College Hill in 2014, delivering a Stephen A. Ogden Jr. ’60 Memorial Lecture on International Affairs. The series offers lectures from an array of world leaders on “pressing matters of global concern,” according to the program’s website.
On Monday, the new Aga Khan V was formally granted the title of “His Highness” by King Charles III, in accordance with a tradition dating back to Aga Khan I.
According to the press release from the British Royal Family, “the designation of the title ‘His Highness’ to the Imam of the Ismailis by the British Monarchs is a reflection of the strong relationship which has existed over time between the families.”
The late Aga Khan IV also founded the Aga Khan Development Network, a global organization rooted in philanthropic pursuits, including the establishment of schools and food security programs.
Al-Hussaini has shown particular interest in the AKDN’s programs involved in environmental protection and combating climate change, and has attended global climate action summits in recent years.
He will serve as Aga Khan V for the remainder of his life.
Samah Hamid is a senior staff writer at the Herald. She is from Sharon, Massachusetts and plans to concentrate in Biology. In her free time, you can find her taking a nap, reading, or baking a sweet treat.
