Prepared and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT

Don’t we all cherish photographs of our childhood, often with our parents, siblings and friends, some of which we don’t have any memories of? As murids and spiritual children of our Imam-of-the-Time, Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, for 67 years from July 11, 1957, until February 4, 2025, we cherished and found joy in his childhood photographs, often in the company of his younger brother, Prince Amyn. Like precious time capsules, the photographs preserved memories and evoked a deep nostalgia and appreciation for his life as a young boy, a past we all hold dear. Who can ever forget the iconic photograph — and the story — of him reciting the Eid ul-Fitr Namaz in Nairobi at 7 and photos of playful times with Prince Amyn? They were — and will always — be a joy to watch.

Following Prince Rahim’s accession to the Imamat, Barakah carried a beautiful post entitled Mawlana Shah Rahim Aga Khan in pictures, which included photographs from his early childhood. He is now the Imam-of-the-Time, Mawlana Hazar Imam.

As Mawlana Hazar Imam’s oldest of two sons, Prince Irfan turns ten on April 11, 2025, we have observed remarkable strength and maturity in this Prince at a very young age. His growth and milestones have been a source of joy and connection for us, reaching us through many events during the last 10 years, from his birth to the historic celebrations of Mawlana Shah Karim’s 80th birthday, the homage ceremony of his Diamond Jubilee on July 11, 2017, and the celebrations in Lisbon a year later to conclude an incredible historic year. In 2023 and 2024, we were presented with official photographs of Prince Irfan and Prince Sinan with Mawlana Shah Karim, which beautifully captured their strong bond and affection, making us all feel a part of their journey.

Turning to the recent mournful events, the funeral ceremony of our beloved 49th Imam, Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, was a moment of deep and profound sadness for his family and the global Ismaili Jamat. The grief on the faces of Princes Irfan and Sinan, mourning the loss of their beloved grandfather, was evident. Yet, Prince Irfan’s procession walk in Aswan, leading the group with his brother Prince Sinan in a disciplined, dignified and respectful manner, was truly extraordinary. He exhibited confidence! A day earlier, on February 8, at the funeral ceremony in Lisbon, Prince Irfan’s remarkable maturity and strength shone through as he comforted, inspired, and tenderly held his beloved father, Mawlana Hazar Imam, during some emotional moments. His actions have inspired us and filled us with pride and hope.

As sad as Mawlana Shah Karim’s passing has been, and the fact that Princes Irfan and Sinan will immensely miss his loving and comforting presence, their father, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan V, has made a heartfelt promise. While dedicating his life to the well-being, spiritual and material progress, and the safety and security of his millions of spiritual children worldwide, he has also pledged to provide his two sons, Irfan and Sinan, with a nurturing and loving environment in which to grow up. This promise and his emphasis on their education and life experiences testify to his love and ensure they are prepared for the future. With these reassuring words for his spiritual children and two loving sons, we can all look forward to our future with hope and optimism.

The Ismaili community worldwide will vividly recall when Mawlana Shah Karim, our beloved 49th Imam, informed us on October 24, 2014, that Prince Rahim and Princess Salwa were expecting their first child. Like Mawlana Shah Karim and Mawlana Hazar Imam, Prince Irfan was also born in Geneva. In his special message announcing the birth on April 11, 2015, Mawlana Shah Karim expressed the happiness of his and Princess Salwa’s family. The Jamats worldwide received the joyous news with traditional celebrations in their respective Jamatkhanas. Prince Irfan’s younger brother, Prince Sinan, was born on January 2, 2017.

We are thrilled to present the following album of photographs as we celebrate Prince Irfan’s 10th birthday on April 11, 2025. The name Irfan, which means ‘knowledge’ or ‘awareness’ in Arabic, is significant in our Ismaili community. It symbolizes the importance of learning and understanding, values that we, as Ismaili Muslims, are deeply proud to uphold since the first Imam, Hazrat Ali. Our earlier article celebrating Prince Irfan’s 9th birthday in 2024 gives a more detailed explanation of the name.

We take this opportunity to wish Prince Irfan a very happy birthday and convey our congratulations to Mawlana Hazar Imam, Princess Salwa, Prince Sinan, and the rest of the Imam’s family.

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A Collection of Pictures of Prince Irfan Aga Khan, son of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan

April 2015: Birth of Prince Irfan Aga Khan

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December 2016: Prince Irfan at the 80th birthday celebration of his grandfather Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV

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2017: Prince Irfan, shortly after the birth of his younger brother Prince Sinan

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July 11, 2017: Prince Irfan at the Homage Ceremony, inaugurating the Diamond Jubilee of Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV

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July 2018: Prince Irfan at at the Diamond Jubilee of Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, in Lisbon

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March 21, 2023: Prince Irfan and Prince Sinan with Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, in Lisbon

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July 11, 2024: Prince Irfan and Prince Sinan with Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, in Lisbon

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February 8, 2025: Prince Irfan at the Funeral Ceremony of Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, at the Ismaili Centre Lisbon

On February 8, 2025, the funeral of Mawlana Shah Karim al-Hussaini, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, our beloved 49th Imam, took place at the Ismaili Centre in Lisbon, Portugal. Mawlana Shah Rahim al-Hussaini Hazar Imam, his children Prince Irfan and Prince Sinan, and Mawlana Shah Karim’s family members attended the ceremony. Please watch the following official slide show of the funeral ceremony.

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February 9, 2025: Prince Irfan at the Burial Procession as Mawlana Shah Karim, His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, is laid to rest in Aswan

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February 11, 2025: Prince Irfan Aga Khan at the Takht-nishini of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat, Lisbon

On February 11, 2025, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, graciously accepted pledges of allegiance from the Global Jamat at his Takht-nishini at the Diwan of the Ismaili Imamat in Lisbon. Members of Mawlana Hazar Imam’s family including his two sons, Princes Irfan and Sinan, were present and can be seen in the following YouTube slide show of official photographs published by the Ismaili.

Date posted: April 10, 2025.

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FEEDBACK

Barakah welcomes your congratulations to the 50th Ismaili Imam, Mawlana Hazar Imam Shah Rahim Al Hussaini, His Highness the Aga Khan, and his son Prince Irfan as he celebrates his 10th birthday on April 11, 2025. Please scroll down for the COMMENT box. If you encounter problems, email the comments to mmerchant@barakah.com. Kindly note that we never publish your email address. For recent and older posts, please visit our HOME PAGE.

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Before you leave, remember that Barakah’s editor, Malik, is here to assist you. If you have any questions or feedback, he’s just an email away at mmerchant@barakah.com. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the wealth of content on Barakah’s Home Page or Table of Contents, with over 350 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat. And don’t forget to visit our sister websites, Simerg and Simergphotos. You can also stay updated by following him @Facebook, @X and @LinkedIn.