When the Prophet Mohammad died, he was succeeded by four major accepted leaders called the Rightfully-guided Caliphs. One of the Caliphs was named Ali ibn Abu Talib was Mohammad’s son-in-law. Ali’s followers believed that he had the right to succeed the Prophet because of his relation to him. They believed that direct descendents of Mohammads, known as Imams, would provide the best spiritual leaders. This group became the Shi'a group and was different from the Sunnis, who wanted to choose the their leader from among the caliphs. The Shiites following grew and by the sixth Shiite Imam, Jafar al-Sadiq, the elder of two sons was chosen the successor. Ismail died before his father and the younger Jafar declared his own younger son Mosa the new successor. Here another split occurred where some believed that Ismail’s son, Mohammad, should be the next Imam.

The AgHa Khan

Thus the Ismaili faction was created and became an underground movement with the Ismaili Imam hiding. Eventually the Imam and his followers emerged as a powerful force with a commanding army. They conquered Egypt and established the Fatimid dynasty, the so-called anti-Caliphate of Cairo. Through many successions, battles and regional disputes, the Ismaili following has expanded all over the world. The group has a strong following among Ismaili Muslims and is led today by the respected and entrepreunial Prince Aga Khan (Agha Khan). He is depicted in this photo with his wife, Princess Gabriele zu Leiningen. Aga Khan became Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims on July 11, 1957 at the age of 20, succeeding his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan. Today's Ismailis live in 25 countries, in West and Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East, as well as in North America and Western Europe.

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