By MALIK MERCHANT
Publisher/Editor, Simerg
His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, passed away on February 4, 2025, aged 88, after an Imamat of 67 years. His funeral will take place in Lisbon on Saturday, February 8 AT 11:00 AM GMT (6:00 AM EST Canada and USA). It will be relayed live from the Ismaili Centre Lisbon and viewers around the world will be able to watch it on Ismaili TV. Arrangements have also been made to screen the ceremony live in Jamatkhanas for the Jamat to take part in this historic and important ceremony.
The burial will follow a day later, on Sunday February 9, in a private ceremony in Aswan, Egypt, where his grandfather, the 48th Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, is buried.
We invite our readers to share their condolences and tributes to the 49th Ismaili Imam, a chance to express their respect and love for the departed spiritual leader. I am sure we have beautiful memories of how the Imam and his work have impacted us and our families. We might be able to recall an incident as a volunteer that has touched us or some other profound incident or experience. Your submission of a tribute will touch and inspire others and have a historical impact.
The Aga Khan: A Legacy of 67 Years of Imamat
Submission rules: These guidelines are designed to ensure a smooth and respectful interaction in our community. Every submission should include a verifiable name and an email address. Anonymous messages will not be accepted. Kindly note that we never publish your email address. Messages should contain a minimum of 90 characters (as, for example, the first sentence in this paragraph). They should preferably not exceed 200 words (the approximate length of this post), but we will accept longer messages. All messages will be reviewed and, if necessary, edited for clarity before publication. To submit your message, please click LEAVE A COMMENT. Should you encounter issues submitting comments through this post, email them to mmerchant@simerg.com, and I will post them on your behalf.
Note: A version of this post appears on our sister website, barakah.
Date posted: February 6, 2025.
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Simerg - Insights from Around the World 
While we bid farewell to our beloved Imam Mawlana Shah Karim, we thank Him for His wisdom, compassion, and guidance during difficult and happy times.
I had the fortune to serve and contribute to the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Tajikistan for four years and once again witnessed the valuable projects and initiatives that brought upliftment in vulnerable communities, especially in remote areas, guided by Mawlana Shah Karim. All His guidance and Farmans are our instruments for our path in the bright future.
Mawlana Shah Karim was an architect of opportunity, a builder of bridges, and a champion of human dignity and pluralism. May we strive to honour Him with our kindness and compassion to uplift one another.
Shukran li’llah for blessing us with our Imams.
Mowlana Shah Karim Al Hussaini Aga Khan IV was a beacon of Hope, Peace and Stability for his followers the world over…. May his soul rest in eternal peace….
I am deeply and emotionally broken and saddened by the news that His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Agakhan IV, my spiritual father and mother having passed away.
My Mowla was a symbol of peace, tolerence and compassion in our troubled world of today. He guided the world in different scenarios, whether it was global poverty, climate change, microfinance and education etc.
Personally, He guided me on everything I did on my worldly basis and also my faith. I express my deepest condolences to His Highness’s Royal family.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
Emotionally missing you,
With heartfelt love and prayers,
HMK Ajit Sadrudin Bandali
My heart is heavy, my soul is grieving, as I mourn the passing away of my beloved Imam, Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini. His wisdom, His love, and His unwavering guidance shaped my faith, my identity, and my very being. The emptiness I feel is profound—like a world suddenly dimmed, a voice of endless compassion now silent. Yet, amidst my sorrow, I bow in gratitude for the countless Blessings he bestowed upon us.
His love was boundless, His mission was resolute. He uplifted humanity, nurtured knowledge and embodied Divine Mercy. Every smile, every word of wisdom, was a beacon of light. His generosity, His tireless services, and his vision for the better world will forever be etched in my heart.
Though my tears fall, my heart also finds peace as the Divine continuity of Imamat remains unbroken. Mowlana Shah Karim’s legacy lives on in our Hazir Imam, Mowlana Shah Rahim Al-Hussaini. I submit in faith, love, and devotion, trusting in His wisdom as He continues the sacred mission with more zeal and enthusiasm until the end of times.
Mowla, you will always be my guide, my inspiration. May your Noor continue to illuminate our path forever and ever….
Minhas Molwani
Karachi, Pakistan
Ya Ali madat Malik Merchant
Editor Simerg, Barakah
A la suite du décès de notre Bien-aimé Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, nous avons reçu des dizaines de messages de condoléances attristées de nos amis non ismailis.
Une réponse suivante à leur message a été envoyé.
Ce court texte peut il être accepté comme un témoignage de notre indéfectible attachement à l ‘Autorité Spirituelle à lignée de l’Imam-du-Temps.
Bonjour,
Merci très sincèrement pour vos messages de condoléances à la famille à la suite du décès de notre Imam Agakhan IV.
Vos pensées nous ont beaucoup touchées et nous vous sommes reconnaissants.
Affectueuses pensées amicales,
Mohez nato et famille
” Oui, notre Pape, Guide Spirituel s’est éteint à Lisbonne ce 4 fevrier 2025. Nous sommes tristes car depuis le 11 juillet 1957 , notre Bien-aimé Imam du Temps Présent nous a toujours guidés pour pratiquer un Islam de paix, de vivre une foi de conviction, de pratiquer un Islam mystique ou de quête spirituelle soufie, avec des valeurs universelles qui font de notre vie quotidienne un ” art de vivre “, conciliant un équilibre Monde Matériel et Vie Spirituelle, riche de fraternité, de tolérance, de pluralisme, de compassion, de générosité , de justice et exprimant toujours une Grande Humanité de respect mutuel comme de citoyens intègres, loyaux de la société civile.
Notre Premier Imam Hazrat Ali nous incitait déjà à appliquer sans relâche précepte suivant: ” Respecte l’Etre Humain, car s’il n’est pas ton Frère dans la Religion, il est ton Frère dans l’Humanité.”
English version
Ya Ali madat Malik Merchant
Editor Simerg, Barakah
Following the death of our Beloved Mowlana Shah Karim Al-Hussaini, we have received dozens of messages of sad condolences from our non-Ismaili friends.
The following reply to their message has been sent.
May this short text be accepted as a token of our unwavering commitment to the Spiritual Authority and lineage of the Imam of Time.
Bonjour,
Thank you very much for your messages of condolence to the family following the death of our Imam Agakhan IV.
Your thoughts have touched us deeply and we are grateful to you.
Affectionate and friendly thoughts,
Mohez nato and family
” Yes, our Pope and Spiritual Guide passed away in Lisbon on 4 February 2025. We are sad because since 11 July 1957, our Beloved Imam of the Present Time has always guided us to practise an Islam of peace, to live a faith of conviction, to practise a mystical Islam or Sufi spiritual quest, with universal values that make our daily life an “art of living”, reconciling a balance between the Material World and the Spiritual Life, rich in fraternity, tolerance, pluralism, compassion, generosity, justice and always expressing a Great Humanity of mutual respect as upright, loyal citizens of civil society.
Our First Imam Hazrat Ali used to encourage us to apply the following precept relentlessly: “Respect the Human Being, for if he is not your Brother in Religion, he is your Brother in Humanity”.
During 67 yrs of Imamat our Mowlabapa not only helped our Ismaili Community; he helped a lot of people in the world through AKDN. Thank you very much. We will miss you Mowlabapa. Shukar.
Thank you Moula bapa for a legacy of love & sacrifice you have done for us. You will live in our hearts forever. Miss you a lot.
Tribute to Mawlana Hazar Imam, Shah Karim Al-Hussaini
Today, we gather to pay tribute to a remarkable leader, a visionary, and a champion of humanity – Mawlana Hazar Imam, Shah Karim Al-Hussaini. His passing leaves an immense void, but his legacy will continue to inspire and guide us for generations to come.
As the 49th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, Hazar Imam dedicated his life to the service of his Jamat and the world at large. With wisdom, compassion, and foresight, he navigated the complexities of a rapidly changing world, always prioritizing the well-being and prosperity of his community.
Through his tireless efforts, Hazar Imam transformed the lives of millions of people around the world. He established institutions, programs, and initiatives that promoted education, healthcare, economic development, and cultural preservation. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which he founded, has become a model for sustainable development and humanitarian work. Hazar Imam’s commitment to pluralism, diversity, and social justice was unwavering.
He believed in the inherent value of every human being and worked to create a world where everyone could thrive. His message of hope, compassion, and unity resonated with people from all walks of life, inspiring a new generation of leaders and change-makers.
As we mourn the loss of our beloved Imam, we also celebrate his life and legacy. We remember his warmth, his kindness, and his generosity. We recall his wisdom, his guidance, and his unwavering commitment to our community.
To Hazar Imam, we offer our heartfelt gratitude for his selfless service, his visionary leadership, and his unconditional love.
May his legacy continue to inspire us to work towards a world that is more just, more peaceful, and more prosperous for all.
Rest in peace, dear Hazar Imam. Your memory will be a blessing to us all.
Irfan Hussain
Karachi, Pakistan.
Our most beloved 49th Imam Shah Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV has a record of vast accomplishments, progress, achievements, compassion, care and support for millions of people around the word during his life of 88 years and especially after being declared as the 49th Hazar Imam in July 1957 that without any hesitation whatsoever and from my personal experiences in the Jamati, Imamati and AKDN activities for the past 70 years, I dare to state that this is unmatchable in the recent history.
These multifarious service to humanity will have the impact in the world for generations. Inshaallah.
Besides my involvements in the “sewa” – service of the Ismaili Jamat and the Imam, I most fortunately have had a few occasions of personal encounters (including some intimate nods from him during many darbars and mulaquats I have attended in many countries around the world – the last one being in Lisbon, Portugal for the culmination celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee in July 2018.
My first contact and encounter was on 18th November 1957 when he was on a visit to the Island of Pemba (sister Island of Zanzibar) – just 4 months after being declared as our 49th Hazar Imam. The followers of Simerg.com will remember a very detailed account of this visit posted jointly by Shah Abdulla from Ottawa and myself posted on February 18, 2021.
On 26th October 1966 Zarina (my wife) and I were wed by him at Kariako Jamatkhana in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and his blessings to us (as to others who got engaged or married on that day) will last until our last breaths. Inshaallah.
Blessings of His Imamat will be felt globally for a very long time. Our sincerest prayers for our most beloved 49th Imam and our our sincerest wishes, total allegiance and prayers for our 50th Hazar Imam. Ameen.
Kamrudin Abdulrasul Rashid – Toronto, Ontario, Canada. February 7 2025
To My Beloved Imam, His Highness Karim Aga Khan,
Your passing has left an unfillable void in my life and the lives of millions around the world. My heart is shattered, and my world has come to a standstill. The pain of losing you is unbearable, and I’m struggling to come to terms with the reality.
Your Imamat was a blessing to our community, and your tireless efforts to promote peace, understanding, and development have left an indelible mark on humanity. Your compassion, wisdom, and guidance inspired me and millions of others to strive for excellence and to make a positive impact in the world.
Personally, your presence in my life was a source of comfort, strength, and inspiration. Your willingness to listen and offer guidance during my darkest moments was a precious gift that I will always cherish. Your loss has left me feeling lost and alone, but I take solace in the knowledge that your legacy will continue to inspire and guide me.
As we mourn your passing, we also rejoice in the appointment of Prince Rahim as our 50th Imam. We pray for his guidance and wisdom as he leads our community forward.
As I recite salwaat and reflect on your remarkable life and achievements, I’m reminded of the profound impact you had on our world. Your passing is a tremendous loss, but it’s also an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate your life, legacy, and the values you embodied.
Rest in eternal peace, my beloved Imam. Your memory will be a blessing to me and to our global community.
May Prince Rahim, our 50th Imam, be blessed with wisdom, guidance, and strength as he leads us forward.
Ameen.
Your Daughter
Yasmin Schoenke
Our Dear Late Imam. Our gratitude is not enough for all that you have done for us. As you always kept us first in your heart and thoughts, we too will keep you in our prayers .
With hearts filled with profound sorrow and gratitude, we offer our deepest condolences on the passing of our beloved Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan IV. His guidance was a beacon of light in our lives, illuminating not only the path of our spiritual journey but also inspiring us to live with purpose, compassion, and integrity in the physical world.
Through his unwavering dedication, wisdom, and love, he nurtured within us the courage to seek knowledge, the strength to uphold our values, and the clarity to find meaning in both faith and service. His legacy transcends time, etched in the hearts of millions whose lives he touched with his boundless generosity and vision for a more just and peaceful world.
We are forever grateful for his leadership, his devotion to the well-being of his Jamat, and his tireless efforts to uplift humanity. Though he is no longer with us in this physical world, his spirit will continue to guide us, and his teachings will remain a source of light and inspiration for generations to come.
May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his memory continue to inspire us to live with the values he so beautifully embodied.
With heartfelt prayers and love,
Dr.Rizo Saboiev,
Germany