MIRPUR (Kashmir English): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Saturday mourned the demise of billionaire and spiritual supreme leader of the Ismaili community, Prince Karim Agha Khan IV, who had breathed his last on Tuesday.
The mourning was observed to express deep sense of shock and grief, on behalf of the government and people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, over the death of philanthropist Prince Karim Agha Khan who died at 88.
On the day, the AJK state flag on all public and private buildings remained at half-mast throughout AJK. The day of mourning coincided with the funeral of the spiritual Supreme head of the Agha Khan community.
An official notification issued by Services and General Administration Department of Azad government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir had issued a notification in this regard on Friday. The state flag remained at half-mast throughout AJK on 8th of February, 2025.
Ismaili Muslims said a last goodbye on Saturday to their late spiritual leader at a private funeral ceremony in Lisbon. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries and foreign leaders from across the world.
Prince Karim 49th hereditary imam
Prince Karim al-Husseini was regarded as a direct descendent of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and enjoyed near divine status as the 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Nizaris, a branch of Shia Muslims.
The funeral ceremony was held at the Ismaili community centre in Lisbon. Over 300 guests, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Emir Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and former Spanish king Juan Carlos I were among the attendees. The global headquarters of the Ismaili Shias was established in the Portuguese capital in 2015.
The deceased held British and Portuguese nationalities, as well as honorary Canadian citizenship, a distinction rarely given.
His eldest son, 53-year-old Rahim, has succeeded him and taken on the title of Aga Khan V.
The Ismailis are the second-largest Shia Muslim group globally. Born in Geneva on December 13, 1936, Al-Hussaini succeeded his grandfather, Mahomed Shah, when he was only 20 years old.
His father, Ali, was excluded from the succession after his tumultuous marriage to US actress Rita Hayworth.
