December 13 marks the birth anniversary of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, one of the most respected global figures of the past century. An iconic leader, a humanitarian and a relentless advocate for peace and development, he was the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. As a man of moral clarity and vision, he dedicated nearly seven decades to advancing human dignity, pluralism, and sustainable development.

Born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Aga Khan IV spent his early childhood in Nairobi. Later, he studied at the renowned Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland and graduated from Harvard University in Islamic History in 1959. He was just 20 when he succeeded his grandfather, His Royal Highness Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III, who appointed a young successor prepared to meet the contemporary challenges of the modern era. History has shown that Aga Khan IV not only fulfilled this vision, but he also elevated it to new heights.

The Aga Khan IV’s tenure witnessed a fast-changing geopolitical landscape accompanied by scientific innovations and technological advancements. Amid this complexity, he articulated a development philosophy rooted in Islamic ethics and centred on human potential. As early as 1982, he stated clearly: “Islam is a........

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