A RACE WELL RUN

Prince Karim Aga Khan's legacy will continue to flourish through his philanthropic philosophy and deeds

- PUNEET R. KUNDAL

KARIM AGA KHAN (1936-2025)

PRINCE KARIM AGA KHAN, the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, died on February 4 in Lisbon, at the age of 88. His son is now the 50th imam in an unbroken chain claiming direct descent from Prophet Muhammad. He was anointed the 49th imam and fourth Aga Khan in 1957 while he was a 20-year-old Harvard sophomore. His grandfather, the third Aga Khan, ignored his own son, who was in the direct line of succession, and instead chose Prince Karim. He held the position of imam and the title of fourth Aga Khan for 67 years. He was also designated 'His Highness' by Queen Elizabeth II early in his imamat. The title of Aga Khan is a hereditary one that was granted by the shah of Persia in 1817 to the 46th Ismaili imam and continues to be used to this day.