Prince Karim, 88, was given the title of “His Highness” by Queen Elizabeth in July 1957, two weeks after his grandfather, the Aga Khan III, unexpectedly made him heir to the family’s 1,300-year dynasty as leader of the Ismaili Muslim sect.

At the age of 20, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini inherited the reins of a Shia Muslim lineage and used his entrepreneurship to become one of the world’s richest hereditary rulers.

The late Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who died on Tuesday in Lisbon after nearly seven decades as the spiritual leader of the global Ismaili Muslim community, will be buried in Egypt on Sunday,

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Spain’s King Emeritus Juan Carlos were among the dignitaries who attended Saturday’s private ceremony for His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini at the Ismaili community center. Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and the mayor of Lisbon were also among the mourners.

Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV and 49th Imam of Nizari Ismaili Muslims, died February 4. He was 88. The Aga Khan’s eldest son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, has been designated the Aga Khan V.

By Bruce Pannier Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of some 15 million Ismaili Muslims worldwide, died in Portugal on February 4 aged 88. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) announced the passing of the “49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims and direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad” on their website.

The death of the Aga Khan, who was the spiritual leader of the world’s millions of Ismaili Muslims, struck a deep chord with Houston’s Ismaili Muslim community

Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, passed away at 88 in Lisbon. He was known for his global philanthropic work through the Aga Khan Development Network, aiding millions in education,