By MALIK MERCHANT
Publisher/Editor, Barakah
His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims, passed away on February 4, 2025, aged 88, after an Imamat of 67 years. His funeral will take place in Lisbon on Saturday, February 8 AT 11:00 AM GMT (6:00 AM EST Canada and USA). It will be relayed live from the Ismaili Centre Lisbon and viewers around the world will be able to watch it on Ismaili TV. Arrangements have also been made to screen the ceremony live in Jamatkhanas for the Jamat to take part in this historic and important ceremony.
The burial will follow a day later, on Sunday February 9, in a private ceremony in Aswan, Egypt, where his grandfather, the 48th Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, is buried.
We invite our readers to share their condolences and tributes to the 49th Ismaili Imam, a chance to express their respect and love for the departed spiritual leader. I am sure we have beautiful memories of how the Imam and his work have impacted us and our families. We might be able to recall an incident as a volunteer that has touched us or some other profound incident or experience. Your submission of a tribute will touch and inspire others and have a historical impact.
The Aga Khan: A Legacy of 67 Years of Imamat
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Date posted: February 7, 2025.
A version of this post appears on our sister website Simerg. Please click HERE to read comments posted in Simerg.
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Barakah 
It is my prayer that God will comfort you and your whole family during this sad time of Prince Karim Aga Khan’s death. Congratulations to Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan on becoming the 50th Ismaili Imam. I pray for yourlong life and your whole family.
Yours Sincerely,
Ilyas Warsi
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Salam alaikum.
I convey my heartfelt condolences to the Ismaili community for the passing away of your Imam Mawlana Shah Karim al-Husseini (q.s.)
Gonzalo Algora
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With deep sorrow and profound respect, I extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of the 49th Ismaili Imam. His wisdom, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the community have left an indelible mark on countless lives. May his legacy continue to inspire and guide us. My thoughts and prayers are with the Noorani Family
May Mowlana Raheem Al Hussaini blessed them strength & Courage to bear this huge loss
Shamsha Jiwani
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Allah Pak, rest his soul in eternal peace and grant him high rank in Jannat-Ul -Firdous. During his lifetime, he rendered innumerable services for Humanity. He was born to serve Humanity. He will be remembered for Years.
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It was a sudden shock getting news that our Beloved Mawlana Shah Karim has passed away.
I am writting tears rolling down my eyes. Before writing My deepest condolences to Noorani Family. Mawla did so much for his Ismaili community and the global world at large. Many of us know Mawla from young age. Mawla was every single day with us. We have memories of his visits to the jamats. I was fortunate to do deedar in Mawla’s Silver Golden and Diamond Jubilees Shukar.
Mawla during his life time has done so much for the Global Jamat. Mawla constructed So many Centres Institutions, Hospitals, School list goes on and on. I am sharing my memory when Mawla was here in Toronto in 2016 I had done my duty in the Aga Khan Museum and then stood outside facing the AKM and just saying that Mawla “I am outside the Museum I want you to pass by and wave to us”. Then I turnED around saying that “Mawla I am in the Jamatkhana compound. just pass by and wave to us.”
So Mawla was in meeting. As soon as Mawla came out from the Museum, President Saheb points to turn right but shukar Mawla comes to the murids who were eager to see Mawla. It was close. Shukar I was in the line and my prayers my niyat fulfilled. So many other memories too but I wanted to share this one. Mawlana Shah Karim gana gana lad kareye (mawlana showed a lot of love). Mawla joked too but this one is cool. As Mawla was posing for a photo Bahadur Hirji says “Cheese” and Mawla said that if he had said Samosas or Biryani instead then he would have got the message.
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My sincere Gratitude for giving us this opportunity to share our Memories during his Reign of Imammat.
To Begin with Mubaraki on the Appointment of our 50th Imam. May Allah give the Noorani Families Spiritual Peace, Strength and Courage to bear their deep Loss and give our New Imam his Guidance and Support as he takes the Seat of our Now Present Imam. Ameen.
As his Murid and Spiritual Daughter who has known him since Birth, it is with deep Sadness and Joy I bid him Farewell. With a heavy heart YET with Happiness as I remember all those beautiful times of his visits to Nairobi where I grew up and spent my years Schooling and Working. I will never forget him in this lifetime and he leaves footprints in my heart and Soul as a Parent and my very best friend.
There are so many fond Memories I don’t even know where to begin. The most dearest Memories are with him at Nairobi Darkhana visits and his Silver Jubilee Celebration where I was always in his Volunteer Service as well as his UK 14 day visit where I had the Opportunity to be personally blessed by him in a Ginan Recitation for one of our Majlis.
He held my hand and walked with me all my life. He never left me Alone in all my Trials, Tribulations and Challenges and he hugged me and held me in my deepest lonesome times like a Parent would with their Child. His Warm Genuine Big Smile gave me Courage and Strength not to QUIT. He gave me Hope and made me strong in my Faith Pillar letting me know I am not Alone. He is right by my side. He carried me when I couldn’t walk anymore. His Guidance and Light LIT up my Darkest days and Moments as he held me in his arms.
Often I faught with him when I was at the end of the Dark Tunnel and couldn’t find my way out of that darkness. Often I Cried with him in Sadness and in Joy. Often I Prayed with him and Saught his Light. And most Often I had daily Conversations with him like a best Friend seeking his lifetime Friendship. And all my Life I held on to his Unconditional Love, Affection, Kindness, Generosity, Tolerance, Patience, Guidance and continued Forgiveness when I couldn’t hold myself anymore. He walked with me always, talked to me in his Gentle Ways and shone his Light Upon me. I am here because he is here with me even though his Physical Self has left me. I am Whole with his Presence Always in this lifetime.
With a heavy sad and Grieving Heart I Bid him Farewell. There will never be another Personality like him. He was one of a kind, the only one Aga Khan, Spiritual Parent and my BEST BEST FRIEND I knew in my lifetime. I will Seek to be in his Light Forever After. When he SMILED upon me the entire Universe LIT Up with his Light. My darkness lit up like the Shining Stars of Allah’s Creation.
I whole heartedly receive our New 50th Imam and give him my Allegiance to abide by the Principles, Ethics and Values of our Faith Practice & Traditions for 1400 years. I Humbly NOW seek his Guidance, Friendship and Light to help me continue my service during his Reign of Imammat. I seek his Generosity to bestow upon me his Choicest Blessings and call upon me for Serving him in the best of my Capabilities and Pray that we bond in the same way I am Bonded with his Parent too.
I Wish and Pray for our 50th Imam that Allah give him Great Health, Happiness, Guidance, Support and Wisdom to Continue in his Father’s Footsteps as he looks forward to Serving his Murids and all of Humanity Across the Globe. May the Noor of Ali shine upon him and his families in his lifetime of Service.
May Allah Grant Our 49th Imam the highest Rank in Jannah as he is laid to rest in Eternal Spiritual Peace and Joy. Ameen. Farewell Beloved Friend and Parent. We shall meet again soon. My heartfelt deepest Gratitude for all the Abundance you Provided for me in this lifetime. For Pampering me and giving me more than I deserved, Needed and seeked for in this lifetime. Your Unconditional Love made me love myself and love you too.
Your Spiritual Daughter and Best Friend
Mumtaz Shirin Haiderali Bhanji Noor Mohammed
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My heartfelt condolences to the departed soul whose has done so much for humankind , the work done by you is immeasurable. Words cannot express you were such an inspiration to all the Jamaatis. The love and compassion you bestowed is eternal. I hope all the Jamaatis hold on to that infinite love and you will be their guiding light yesterday today and tomorrow for sure.
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Mowlana Shah Karim, je ne vous remercie rai jamais assez pour tout ce que vous avez fait pour nous Tes fidèles. Vous avez emmené les Ismailis là où ils sont aujourd’hui c’est a dire très très avancés dans ce monde.
Merci aussi à votre Fondation AKF qui m’a permis d’être chirurgien dentiste aujourd’hui, même avec des parents illettrés et pauvres.
MOWLA Bapa, je vous aime.
Azade KASSAMALY
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We bid You farewell with deep sorrow. We offer our shukhrana for your 67 years of Imamat and your immense love and dedication for the Murids and for mankind. Your deeds are yourr greatest legacy and You are Immortal. May You rest in peace. With lots of love, gratitude and devotion and allegiance to the Rope of Imamat We will cherish Your memories We remain Your devoted Murids
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Our heartfelt condolences to Mowla’s Family and to all Ismailis throughout the World.
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May your soul rest in eternal peace Amen. Gratitude and love for you.
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