LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Rahim Al-Hussaini was named Wednesday as the new Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world’s millions of Ismaili Muslims, following the death of his father. The Aga Khan is considered by his followers to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad and is treated as a head of state.

Rahim al-Hussaini has been named the new Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of millions of Ismaili Muslims. The development came after the death of his father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, who passed away at the age of 88 in Lisbon.

Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini has been named the new Aga Khan, spiritual leader of millions of Shia Ismaili Muslims around the world. He will take on the role from his father Prince Karim Aga Khan, who died on Tuesday at the age of 88.

Hussaini, the Aga Khan — the title given to the imam of the Nizari Ismailis, a branch of Shia Islam — died February 4 in Lisbon at the age of 88. He led a major development aid foundation.

Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV, died on February 4 in Lisbon, Portugal at age 88. As founder and chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the Aga Khan IV was one of architecture’s greatest patrons.

“Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan V was today named the 50th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, following the unsealing of the Will of his late father, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini Aga Khan IV, who died in Lisbon, Portugal yesterday, aged 88,” the statement said.

The Aga Khan was the spiritual leader of about 12 million people from the Ismaili sect of Islam, having inherited his title at the age of 20.

World leaders mourn the death of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and remember his lifelong commitment to peace and development.

Educated in the US Rahim Al-Hussaini is the eldest son of the former Aga Khan, who died in Portugal on Tuesday.