One of the world’s richest people died two days ago. While rich and poor people die everyday, what makes this guy unique is that he was the leader of upwards of 15 million Muslims knows as Ismailis.
The Ismailis are unusual in the Muslim world in a variety of ways: They tend to approach the religion from a more intellectual angle. They view God as beyond description and comprehension. And though they revere Muhammad, they pledge allegiance and give up to 12.5% of their income to a dude in France who, among many other things, raises race horses!
Their leader is known as the Aga Khan. The recently deceased one, Karim, reigned for 67 years as the spiritual leader of the globally scattered Ismaili community, while at the same time overseeing a vast international portfolio of businesses and charitable works. Sort of like a CEO/Pope!
Upon his death, Prince Karim handed the empire over to his oldest son, Rahim. (Many think Rahim’s sister, Princess Zahra would do a better job, but alas, she’s a woman.)
Prince Rahim is now the 50th Aga Khan and I assume the mantle rests heavily on his shoulders. The Aga Khan Development Network which his father set up oversees billions of dollars, thousands of staff and many dozens of global partnerships and projects.
And there is also the family fortune, including estates, a yacht club and of course, the horses!
Would you join me for just a moment and pray a thoroughly bonkers prayer? Let’s ask God to bring Prince Rahim to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He ranks high on my list of “that ain’t never gonna happen,” but the God we’re petitioning is the one who got Saul the persecutor and transformed him into Paul the Apostle, the church planter and author of a good chunk of The Book. The Aga Khan V is not beyond his reach.