His Highness Hazrat Mowlana Prince Rahim Shah has officially become the 5th Aga Khan and the 50th Shia Ismaili Muslim Imam at his Takht-nishini at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat on 11 February 2025 after the passing of his father Mowlana Karim Shah at the age of 88.
Ismaili Council. For the first time ever, countless Ismailis were able to participate via live stream all over the world. His Karim Shah’s Takht-nishini 88 years ago was at the time where when there was no mass social media. So the ceremonies were held in large outdoor congregations in four cities including Dar-es-Salaam, Nairobi, Mumbhai and Karachi.
The Aga Khan title was first conferred on the first Aga Hasan Mawlana Hasan Ali Shah by the Qajar dynasty of Iran after his marriage to a Qajar prince. He was the Shah or ruler of Malahat and later also become the governor of Kerman.
The second Aga Khan Mowlana Ali Shah use to travel to Afghanistan and India by horseback to visit with his followers. The 3rd Aga Khan, Mowlana Sultan Muhammed Shah was born in Karachi where he became a leader in the Indian Muslim League.
He supported the creation of Pakistan and later become the President of the League of Nations which was a precursor the current United Nations.
Karim Shah Aga Khan IV became Imam at the age of 20 and served as Imam for 88 years. He established the Aga Khan Network of organizations for social development all around the world building hospitals, schools and housing projects.
Rahim Shah Aga Khan V becomes the Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims at age of 53 and will carry on the work of his father and legacy of the Aga Khans of leadership in the Muslim world. He has also been conferred the title of His Highness by King Charles III according to the tradition recognized by the British Crown to the previous Aga Khan’s as they claim their lineage to the Qajar Shah Fathe Ali from, he which he is also considered at Prince.
The Ismaili Muslim Imams also claim their lineage to Prophet Muhammed and the first Shia Imam, Hazarat Mowlana Murtaza Ali.