The Aga Khan completes 50 yrs as Imam

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GOUVIEUX (France), July 10: His Highness the Aga Khan will complete his 50th year as the Imam of the Ismaili community today (Wednesday).
Fifty years ago, at the age of 20, the Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, as the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.
The Aga Khan leads a community of 15 million Ismaili Muslims living in some 25 countries, mainly in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America.
He is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family) through his cousin and son-in-law Ali, the first Imam, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet's daughter.