Prince Rahim Aga Khan V Named 50th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims

Pursuant to the passing of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan and the unsealing of his Last Will and Testament, his eldest son, Prince Rahim al-Hussaini was today named the 50th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.

His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, 1936-2025

The governors, faculty, staff, students and volunteers of The Institute of Ismaili Studies offer our condolences to the family of His Highness and to the Ismaili community worldwide. As we honour the legacy of our founder, Prince Karim Aga Khan, we continue to identify and address pressing ethical and intellectual questions faced by Muslim communities around the world.

About us

The Institute of Ismaili Studies (IIS) was established in 1977 as an academic institution of higher education. It is dedicated to the study of Islam, with a particular focus on the history, philosophy, law, and mysticism of Ismaili and broader Shi‘i intellectual and cultural heritages within the larger Muslim ummah.

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Research at the IIS seeks to contribute to the field of Islamic studies in general, with a particular focus on Shi ‘i and Ismaili studies.

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The IIS publishes works by its own scholars as well as from the academic community outside the Institute.

Podcast

Dr Alí-de-Unzaga discusses the Islamic Gardens at King’s Cross on BBC’s Beyond Belief

Dr Omar Alí-de-Unzaga joins host Giles Fraser, The Revd Lucy Winkett, and Ai Hishii to discuss the religious significance of gardens on BBC’s Beyond Belief.