Karim Al-Hussaini, the 49th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, died Tuesday in Portugal surrounded by his family
The Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the world’s Ismaili Muslims, has died at the age of 88.
A post on social media from the Aga Khan Development Network says he died peacefully today in Lisbon, with his family at his side.
The Aga Khan was a key figure in an ethics scandal involving Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was found to have breached federal conflict of interest rules by vacationing on the Aga Khan’s private island in 2016.
At the time, the ethics commissioner said Trudeau broke the rules by accepting a gift that could be seen as influencing government decisions.
Prime Minister Trudeau paid tribute to the Aga Khan today, calling him a compassionate global leader who will would be deeply missed by people around the world.
The Aga Khan helped set up the Global Centre for Pluralism in Ottawa and the first Islamic arts museum in Toronto.
He was granted honorary Canadian citizenship in 2009.
Khan was a Harvard undergraduate and poured a material empire built on billions of dollars in tithes into building homes, hospitals and schools in developing countries.
According to the B.C. government, there are about 20,000 Ismailis living in Metro Vancouver.
More to come …