Introduction to His Highness the Aga Khan, Prince Karim al-Hussaini.
Prince Karim al-Hussaini, better known as the Aga Khan, the fabulously wealthy spiritual leader of the 15-million-strong Ismaili Shia Muslim community, celebrated the golden jubilee of his imamat – the term of office of an imam – privately yesterday. The sponsor of numerous charitable works – his development network disburses $320m (£157.3m) a year on social and cultural activities – he has followers in 25 countries. A collection of 150 treasures from his art collection, including the earliest surviving medical treatise, has just gone on exhibition at the Ismaili Centre in South Kensington until the end of next month, a reminder of what Britain is missing after his attempts to find a permanent home for the collection in London failed. It will be housed in a purpose-built museum in Toronto instead.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2124090,00.html
Introduction to His Highness the Aga Khan, Prince Karim al-Hussaini.
Ismailimail 