Hussaini, also known as the Aga Khan, died on Tuesday, February 4, aged 88. A colossally wealthy philanthropist, he was also the imam of the Nizari Ismaili faith, an esoteric branch of Shia Islam that changed the history of the Middle East.

By bnm Tehran bureau Prince Rahim al-Hussaini has been named the new Aga Khan, becoming spiritual leader of 15mn Ismaili Muslims following the death of his father in Lisbon aged 88. The 53-year-old was appointed in his father's will unsealed on February 5 as the fifth Aga Khan and 50th imam of the Nizari Ismaili branch of Shia Islam,

Hussaini, son of Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, has been named in his father’s will as his successor to lead the Nizari Ismailis, a Shia Muslim denomination. We take a look at this branch of Shia Islam that has 15 million members worldwide.