Spiritual leader, Switzerland
Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV is the 49th and current Imam of the Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili Muslims. He has held this position under the title of Aga Khan since July 11, 1957, when, at the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan. The Aga Khan is responsible for the interpretation of the faith for his followers and as part of the office of the Imamate, endeavors to improve the quality of their lives and the communities where they live. Aga Khan claims to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, considered the first Imam in Shia Islam, and his wife Fatima az-Zahra, the Prophet’s daughter from his first marriage with Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the Prophet's first of either 11 or 13 wives.
Since his ascension to the Imamate, the Aga Khan has been involved in complex political and economic changes which have affected his followers, including the independence of African countries from colonial rule, expulsion of Asians from Uganda, the independence of Central Asian countries such as Tajikistan from the former Soviet Union and the continuous turmoil in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
" Aga Khan Development Network toils towards environment, health, education. I wish World League "Mind Free of Drugs" good luck".
