Who is Rahim Al Hussaini, the new Aga Khan, spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims

New leader has special interest in climate change and protecting the environment

Prince Rahim Al Hussaini, the new Aga Khan, has served within the Aga Khan Development Network. AFP

OBITUARY: The Aga Khan, who provided aid and development where others did not

Rahim Al Hussaini has been named the new Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's millions of Ismaili Muslims, following the death of his father this week.

The 53-year-old was designated as the Aga Khan V, the 50th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, in his father's will. His father died on Tuesday in Portugal.

The Aga Khan Development Network and the Ismaili religious community had announced earlier that Prince Karim Al Hussaini, Aga Khan IV and 49th hereditary imam of the Ismaili Muslims, died surrounded by his family.

Prince Rahim is the eldest son of the former Aga Khan. He was educated in the US, studying comparative literature at Brown University, and has served on the boards of various agencies within the Aga Khan Development Network, the spiritual leader's main philanthropic organisation.

The organisation deals mainly with issues of health care, housing, education and rural economic development. It says it works in over 30 countries and has an annual budget of about $1 billion for non-profit development activities.

The Aga Khan Development Network said Prince Rahim took a special interest in its work to fight climate change and protect the environment.

In 1957, the late Aga Khan was made heir to the family’s 1,300-year dynasty as leader of the Ismaili sect. Over decades, Aga Khan IV evolved into a business magnate and a philanthropist, moving between the spiritual and the worldly with ease.

A defender of Islamic culture and values, he was widely regarded as a builder of bridges between Muslim societies and the West despite – or perhaps because of – his reticence about becoming involved in politics.

A network of hospitals bearing the Aga Khan's name is scattered in places where health care was lacking for the poorest people − including Bangladesh, Tajikistan and Afghanistan − where he spent tens of millions of dollars in developing local economies.

Ismailis lived for many generations in Iran, Syria and South Asia, before also settling in East Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East, as well as Europe, North America and − more recently − Australia. They consider it a duty to donate up to 12.5 per cent of their income to the Aga Khan as steward.

Shenila Khoja-Moolji, an associate professor at Georgetown University who researches Muslim societies, told Associated Press that Ismailis turn to the Aga Khan in matters of faith and daily life. Prince Rahim has three siblings, two brothers and one sister.