A BEACON OF INSPIRATION
His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him), became 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims at the age of 20 on 11 July, 1957 following the death of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III (2 November, 1877 – 11 July, 1957).
Since his youth, His Highness has guided the spiritual growth of his followers and worked tirelessly for their material welfare and progress. He has articulated that education, self-help, unity, character and generosity as well as the ethic of keeping a balance between the spiritual (din) and temporal (dunya) are the elements which keep a community vibrant and healthy and lead to enlightenment and dignity.
The Aga Khan has described his mission as encompassing not only the interpretation of matters of faith, but also the economic, social, and cultural environments. This engagement, grounded in the ethics of Islam, has led to initiatives by him that, over the past five decades, has led to the improvement, well-being and dignity of human beings in some of the world’s poorest, most deprived and most diverse communities regardless of faith, origin or gender.
This series will try to tell the story of His Highness the Aga Khan and the Ismaili community by presenting the grand panorama of the 49th Imam through a collection of compact, lucid, incisive and authoritative articles. It is sincerely hoped that our greatest asset, the readers, will play their part by submitting anecdotes and photographs to make this a unique series. Please email your contributions to simerg@aol.com, subject “Aga Khan IV Series.”
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This page has not been updated for a considerable length of time. We recommend that you visit SIMERG’S TABLE OF CONTENTS for a complete and most current list of articles on this website. Also, please visit Barakah, our sister website dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan and members of his family as well as the Ismaili Imamat.
Articles Related to His Highness the Aga Khan IV
Gems from His Highness the Aga Khan’s Speech at the University of Ottawa
His Highness the Aga Khan Receives His 20th Honorary Degree From the University of Ottawa
A Tribute to His Highness the Aga Khan – Part III
A Tribute to His Highness the Aga Khan – Part II
A Tribute to His Highness the Aga Khan – Part I
A Review of His Highness the Aga Khan’s “Where Hope Takes Root”
Aga Khan in Prestigious Jury for First-Ever Business Leader’s Award to Fight Human Trafficking
The Preamble of “The Constitution of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims”
The 11th Cycle of The Aga Khan Award for Architecture
Aga Khan Gifts Brown University in Honour of Vartan Gregorian
Aga Khan Graces 10th Annual LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium
One on One: Peter Mansbridge with His Highness the Aga Khan
His Highness the Aga Khan and Canada: A Profound Affinity – But Why Canada?
His Highness the Aga Khan’s Foresight and Wisdom at Age 20
“The Power of Wisdom” – His Highness the Aga Khan’s Interview with Politique Internationale
“We are a long way from the democratization of nuclear energy. Maybe I’m naïve but I advocate another approach, which I call “positive proliferation.” The positive proliferation that I would dearly love to see happen is based on a simple principle: yes to energy, no to arms.”
Ismaili Imam Bestowed With Honorary Canadian Citizenship at Foundation Ceremony for Aga Khan Museum
Key Themes of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Speeches Made During His Golden Jubilee Celebrations
Key Themes of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Speeches Between 2000 and July 2007
Timeline of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Awards and Honours
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Simerg - Insights from Around the World 
Proud and blessed to be your follower ya Maula
A great man and a very wise man never talks of money or wealth but shares his own promoting peace and advances in life and technology ( builds schools which benefit thousands and thousands of little children through tens of decades who then progress in life in meaningful employment to give one small way as to how he selflessly helps humanity) are utilised to help humanity and looks after the poor and disadvantaged. He shows compassion and love to not just Muslims but fairly to all faiths. He is a Defender Of the Faith and a godly Muslim man. This man is rare indeed , being a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. He knows how to propagate a life work and spiritual balance and demonstrates it by his charities, industry and enterprise building and promoting and sports partaking with “the love of the sport of the Kings”, horseracing ( I too love this sport, perhaps have done so too much, that’s another story!).
This most perfect man , handsome, wise, full of life and vigour, this charismatic man in life by example emanates what being human really is. We could learn a lot from him.
He is Hazar Imam as addressed by his most loved people, he is the AGA KHAN!!!
Allah bless
Ya Hazar Imam! I believe in you wholeheartedly and I know that what ever you do for us and the sacrifices you give for us are all for our betterment, and it shows the great love you have for us.
Ya Hazar Imam, bring blessing to us and our children. You are our gracious leader.
A comunidade ismaili deve seguir a melhor conduta na pratica..a menssagem do nosso IMAM. abdulsacoor in portugal
I want to congratulate all the Ismails on the occasion of the birthday of our Mawlana Hazar Imam.
Many around the world know about our beloved Mawla by his accomplishments and what he is doing for their betterment. The fundamental principle for each and every murid of the Imam of the Time is to recognize him through his being and who he is.
Being an Ismaili and a follower of His Highness the Aga Khan, I feel so proud when I see him working for humanity through his philanthropic work.
How blessed are we to recieve these “Rays of Light” that shine on us from ALLAH through our EVER living present IMAM.
ALLAH KARIM.
Imam is the manifestation of the Noor of Allah.
Abdul Sacoor, Portugal.
May Hazar Imam’s blessings be with us all the time. Aameen.
The Imam’s accomplishments make me a proud Ismaili.
Hazar Imam – be with me forever and ever.
Hope that our Imam is always with us!!!!
Our Imam is Leader.