LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Rahim Al-Hussaini was named Wednesday as the new Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world’s millions of Ismaili Muslims, following the death of his father. The Aga Khan is considered by his followers to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad and is treated as a head of state.

Hussaini, the Aga Khan — the title given to the imam of the Nizari Ismailis, a branch of Shia Islam — died February 4 in Lisbon at the age of 88. He led a major development aid foundation.

Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV, died on February 4 in Lisbon, Portugal at age 88. As founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the Aga Khan IV was one of architecture’s greatest patrons.

The Aga Khan was the spiritual leader of about 12 million people from the Ismaili sect of Islam, having inherited his title at the age of 20.

Prince Karim Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, has passed away. According to the announcement, Prince Karim Aga passed away on February 4 in the Portuguese capital Lisbon. He was 88 years old. Shah Karim's family was present at the time of his death.

The Aga Khan Development Network and the Ismaili religious community announced earlier that His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV and 49th hereditary imam of the

The Aga Khan, a spiritual leader, philanthropist and one of the world's richest men, has died aged 88. In an announcement on social media, the Aga Khan Development Network said: 'His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini,

The Aga Khan, who ­became the spiritual leader of the world’s millions of Ismaili Muslims at age 20 as a Harvard undergraduate and poured a ­material empire built on billions of dollars into building homes,

As leader of a branch of Shiite Islam, the Aga Khan mixed business projects and humanitarian initiatives as he built a personal fortune.