New Delhi, Feb 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed profound grief over the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, a revered spiritual leader, philanthropist, and founder of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). Prince Karim Aga Khan, who was a beacon of hope and guidance for millions of Ismaili Muslims worldwide, passed away on Tuesday in Lisbon at the age of 88, with his family by his side.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV. He was a visionary who dedicated his life to service and spirituality. His contributions in areas like health, education, rural development, and women empowerment will continue to inspire many. I will always cherish my interactions with him. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the millions of followers and admirers across the world,” PM Modi shared in a heartfelt post on X.
Prince Karim Aga Khan took over as the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims in 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III. Over the next six decades, he committed himself to humanitarian causes, improving the lives of the underprivileged through AKDN’s multifaceted initiatives. His work reflected a deep understanding of Islam as a faith rooted in compassion, tolerance, and respect for human dignity.
During his visit to India in 2015, Prince Karim Aga Khan was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor, in recognition of his significant contributions to social development. PM Modi, reflecting on his role as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, praised the Aga Khan Foundation’s impactful work in areas like rural development and sanitation. He also encouraged the foundation to actively contribute to national programs, including the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the Ganga Rejuvenation Initiative.
The Diamond Jubilee of Prince Karim Aga Khan’s leadership, observed between July 2017 and July 2018, was a year-long celebration marking 60 years of his service as Imam. As part of the celebrations, Aga Khan visited India once again in February-March 2018 at the invitation of the Vice President. During his visit, he met with then-President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Modi to discuss various development efforts and initiatives.
A significant highlight of his visit was the inauguration of Sunder Nursery, a sprawling 90-acre park near Humayun’s Tomb in New Delhi, on February 21, 2018. The project, part of the Nizamuddin Urban Renewal Initiative, was a collaborative effort involving the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, the Aga Khan Foundation, the Central Public Works Department, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, and the Archaeological Survey of India.
Beyond New Delhi, Aga Khan also traveled to Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, where the AKDN has been involved in various community-driven projects, transforming lives in areas such as education, health, heritage restoration, and economic development.
On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar joined PM Modi in expressing condolences, acknowledging Prince Karim Aga Khan’s extraordinary role in uplifting vulnerable communities worldwide.
As the world mourns his loss, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV will be remembered as a visionary leader whose compassion, dedication, and service left an indelible impact on humanity. His legacy will continue to inspire countless people and generations to come.