DUBAI (Kashmir English): Pakistan’s Envoy to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, visited the Ismaili Centre Dubai to offer condolences on the passing away of Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV.
Ambassador Tirmizi paid tributes to the extraordinary life and legacy of the deceased, hallmark of which was an unwavering commitment to serving humanity.
He described the philanthropist as a beacon of hope at international level whose tireless efforts uplifted the underprivileged and vulnerable communities across the continents.
He also highlighted the profound connection between Pakistan and Prince Karim Aga Khan by recalling his remarkable contributions to the country’s socio-economic development, particularly through the work of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
Earlier, Ambassador Tirmizi was welcomed by Vice President of the Ismaili Centre Dubai, Khalil Feroz Muhammad; Head of Diplomatic Relations, Akbar Verjee; and a senior representative of the Ismaili community, Hassan Vellani. Together, they reflected on the extraordinary life and legacy of Prince Karim Aga Khan.
Later, the Ambassador recorded his condolences in the official condolence book at Dubai Ismaili Centre. “The passing of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV is a great loss for the global community. His legacy will continue to inspire us to strive for a more equitable and compassionate world”, remarked the Ambassador.
The Embassy of Pakistan in the UAE has extended its deepest sympathies and condolences to the Aga Khan family, the Ismaili community and all those mourning the loss of this extraordinary leader.
Noted for extraordinary achievements in development, philanthropy, and even horse racing, Prince Karim Aga Khan died on Wednesday in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of 88. The 49th hereditary imam of the world’s 15 million Ismailis, his name has become synonymous with excellence, particularly in thoroughbred racing, with Shergar probably one of his most renowned racehorses.
Prince Karim Aga Khan
He was born on 13th December 1936 in Geneva and spent his early childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, before attending Le Rosey School in Switzerland and later studying Islamic history at Harvard University in the United States.
In 1957, after the death of his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, Karim became the Imam of the Ismaili community at the age of 20 years old, as his grandfather had chosen him as his successor over his own son, Prince Aly Khan.
In 1967, the Aga Khan established the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which has since grown into a vast international development organisation employing 80,000 people worldwide. The network has played a vital role in building schools and hospitals and providing electricity to some of the most impoverished regions across Africa and Asia.
Reflecting on his unique influence, Vanity Fair once wrote in a 2013 article, “Few individuals bridge so many divides between the spiritual and the material, East and West, Muslim and Christian as gracefully as he does.”
