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Main article: Imamah (Shi'a Ismaili doctrine)

Aga Khan (Persian: آغا خان ) is the hereditary title of the Imam (spiritual and general leader) of the Nizārī Ismā'īlī Muslims الطائفة الإسماعيلية, a sect of the Shi'a Ismaili branch of Islam which formed in 1094 when the followers of an-Nizār split away from the Mustaˤliyya (followers of Nizar's younger brother al-Musta'li).

Contents 1 History 2 Incumbent 3 Philanthropy 4 List of those who have held the title of Aga Khan 5 References 6 Sources 7 See also

[edit] History

In 1818 the title of Aga Khan was bestowed upon Aga Hasan Ali Shah, the 46th Imam of the Ismailis, by Fath Ali, the Shah of Persia. Etymologically the title combines the Turkish military title Agha with the Turkic, Mongolian and Persian/Pashto polyvalent title Khan, so it means roughly "Commanding Chief". In Persia's Qajar court protocol, Khan (and Amir) was commonly part of commanders of armed forces and provincial tribal leaders which ranked fourth in precedence amongst the eight title classes for non-members of the dynasty.

The Aga Khan was formally recognised by the British Raj in 1877. The Aga Khan became the only religious or community leader in British India granted a personal gun salute; all other salute dynasties were either rulers of Princely States, or Political Pensioners holding ancestral princely titles in states abolished by the Raj.

[edit] Incumbent

Prince Karīm al-Ḥussaynī became the present Aga Khan IV upon assuming the Imamat of the Shi'a Imami Nizari Ismailis on July 11, 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan (Aga Khan III). His father, Prince Aly Khan, was a high-profile celebrity in the mid 20th century owing to his relationships with Hollywood stars, including a marriage to Rita Hayworth.<ref>Prince Aly Khan's obituary, Time, 23 May 1960, Web copy</ref> He was passed over from the succession, and was later appointed Pakistan's permanent ambassador to the United Nations.<ref>Time, 17 February 1958, p 1. Web copy</ref>

In his will, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah elaborated the conditions that led him to select his grandson as successor to the Ismaili Imamat:

"In view of the fundamentally altered conditions in the world in very recent years due to the great changes that have taken place, including the discoveries of atomic science, I am convinced that it is in the best interests of the Shia Muslim [sic] Ismaili community that I should be succeeded by a young man who has been brought up and developed during recent years and in the midst of the new age, and who brings a new outlook on life to his office."<ref>"Aly Khan's Son, 20, New Aga Khan", The New York Times, 13 July 1957, p. 1</ref>

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV is the 49^th hereditary Imam of the Shi'a Imami Ismaili Muslims and is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. The title His Highness was granted by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in 1957, and His Royal Highness by the Shah of Iran in 1959.<ref>See [1]</ref><ref>Khoja Case before Justice Sir Joseph Arnould, High Court of Bombay, 1886. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref><ref>Haji Bibi Case before Mr. Justice Russell, 1905 - Bombay Law Reporter. Retrieved on 2006-12-01.</ref>

[edit] Philanthropy

Main article: Aga Khan IV#Philanthropy

The Aga Khan, heir to the family fortune and a society figure, is founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the largest private development networks in the world. He recently pledged $75 million for the rebuilding of Afghanistan after the US led invasion in 2001. AKDN continues to work with a variety of Central Asian countries to improve living conditions and promote education.

[edit] List of those who have held the title of Aga Khan

1. Aga Khan I = Aga Hasan Ali Shah = HH Shah Hasan Ali Shah Mehalatee Aga Khan I (1800–1881), 46th Imam (1817–1881)
2. Aga Khan II = HH Ali Shah Aga Khan II (about 1830–1885), 47th Imam (12 April 1881–1885)
3. Aga Khan III = HRH Prince Sultan Mohammed, (1877–1957), 48th Imam (17 August 1885–1957)
4. Aga Khan IV = Karim Aga Khan = HH Prince Aga Khan IV = Prince Karim Al Husseini (b. 1936), 49th Imam of the Ismailis (from 11 July 1957)

[edit] References

<references/>

[edit] Sources

• The Institute of Ismaili Studies
• The Aga Khan Development Network
• The World Bank
• WorldStatesmen- Religious Organisations
• RoyalArk- India & Qajar Persia
• Aga Khan article at SIPA (Columbia University)
• Brown University President Vartan Gregorian's introduction of the Aga Khan (1996 baccalaureate address)
• Interview on NPR, 2006 September 25: "Aga Khan Speaks Out on Understanding of Muslims"

[edit] See also

• Aga Khan I
• Aga Khan II
• Aga Khan III
• Aga Khan IV
• Aga Khan Development Network
• The article on Ismailis has sections on Nizari Ismaili ("Aga Khani") View of Pre-20th Century History, a History of the Nizari Ismaili ("Aga Khani") Ismaili community in the 20th century, and The Nizari Ismaili ("Aga Khani") community today.
• Aga Khan Universityde:Aga Khan (Titel)

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