THE 500 MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS - CESD

20HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS SHAH KARIM AL HUSSAYNIThe Aga Khan IV, 49th Imam of the Ismaili MuslimsShah Karim al Hussayni, also known simply as the AgaKhan (Imamate: 1957-present), is the leader of the Shi’asect of Muslims known as the Nizari Ismailis. For 5 millionNizari Ismaili Muslims the Aga Khan is the 49thhereditary Imam, with lineage descending back to Ali,the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. He is only thefourth Aga Khan, a hereditary title bestowed upon theImam by the Shah of Persia in the mid-nineteenth century.Country: FranceDate of Birth: 13 December1936Source of Influence: Lineage,AdministrativeInfluence: Approximately 5million Nizari IsmailisSchool of Thought: ModernistShi’a, Ismaili, NizariRank: 2010:20 · 2009:20Hereditary Leader of IsmailisThe Aga Khan derives his position of authority fromhis lineage. He has a direct line of ancestry going back to Imam Ali. For Nizari Ismaili Muslimsthis ancestry is directly attached to the idea of an Imamate starting with Imam Ali. HoweverNizari lineage differs from the larger sect of Ithna’Asharia (Twelver) Shi’a. Twelver Shi’aheritage derives from the younger son of the sixth Imam Jafar al Sadiq, whereas Ismaili heritagederives from the elder son. The Aga Khan’s influence stems from his obligation to leadthe community and to find solutions to the ever-changing issues facing his followers. At theage of 21 the Aga Khan bypassed his father and uncle to become the 49th Imam, a choice thathis grandfather made because he felt the community needed a leader ‘who has been broughtup and developed during recent years and in the midst of the new age, and who brings a newoutlook on life to his office.’Unparalleled PhilanthropistThe Aga Khan is also an influential philanthropist on the world stage. His influence on developmentis very significant and disproportionate to the size of the Nizari Ismaili community,which is one of the smaller Muslim sects. To fulfill the Imam’s responsibilities in the contemporaryworld, the Aga Khan set up the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). TheAKDN is a collection of development and humanitarian agencies working in areas of poverty.The network is widely known for its architectural and cultural work, including projects thatrevitalize historic cities. These initiatives aim to show the greatness of Islamic civilizationthrough projects such as the renovation of the Old City of Aleppo and the Al Azhar Park inCairo. The Aga Khan’s foundation maintains a strong and enduring presence in developingcountries—building health care capacity, promoting economic development in rural areasand helping improve educational opportunities. The AKDN is particularly influential inCentral Asia, where it works in areas that are often neglected by other organizations.66