The Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community and a prominent figure in architecture and cultural preservation, has died at the age of 88.

Prince Karim al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV, became the 49th hereditary Imam of the Ismaili Muslims in 1957, leading a global community of Shia Muslims known for their emphasis on education, philanthropy, and development. The Ismaili community, which has roots in South Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East, is a branch of Shia Islam with a distinct theological and cultural tradition. Through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), he oversaw numerous initiatives in education, healthcare, and urban development, many of which included a strong focus on architecture and conservation.

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