The OTHER global religious leader visiting America
Reza Aslan
Author, “No god but God” – CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 Blog
The media spotlight on Pope Benedict’s first trip to the United States seems to have completely overshadowed the American tour of another global religious leader, the Aga Khan.
The Aga Khan is the spiritual leader of some 20 million Ismaili Muslims. The Ismailis are Shiah who broke off from the main Shiite branch of Islam, known as the Ithna Ashari, or Twelvers, in the middle of the 8th century. Ismailis live primarily in South Asia, while some 300 million Twelver Shia live mostly in Iran, Iraq, and other parts of the Middle East.
The Aga Khan — the title means something like “the Noble Lord” — is believed to be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. As such, his position among followers is absolute. He has sole authority to interpret the Quran and Islamic law, and his word on both subjects is infallible. But this Aga Khan, the 49th imam in a line that stretches back 13 centuries, is unlike any other spiritual leader.
He is a graduate of Harvard University. His personal worth is estimated to be in the billions. He jaunts around the globe in private jets and yachts. His father, the previous Aga Khan, was once married to Rita Hayworth. In his fitted suits and silk ties, he looks more like a well-aged movie star than a spiritual leader.
But don’t let the clothes and the fabulous riches fool you. The Aga Khan is not only a devout and transcendent man of deep religious faith, he is also one of the most generous philanthropists in the world.
His Aga Khan Development Network is a massive charitable fund dedicated almost entirely to caring for the poor. He runs nearly 200 hospitals. He funds thousands of schools, charities, arts programs, museums, and theaters.
His humanitarian services extend across the globe and, despite being funded almost exclusively by the tithes of his followers, are doled out to people of all faiths, whether Muslim or not.
He is a shining example of a moderate, pluralistic, and modern Muslim leader, which is why it’s a shame that he has come to the U.S. at such an inopportune time. (He is here to celebrate his 50th year as the Aga Khan).
For those of us who are sick and tired of media pundits always asking, “where are the moderate Muslim leaders,” and for those who want to punch something every time Tom Friedman sarcastically wonders why there are no “Muslim Mandela’s” out there, the Aga Khan, and the millions of modernist, democratically minded, reformist, and pluralist Muslims who follow him, are the perfect answer.
Too bad no one is paying attention.
Ismailimail 
It is an interesting piece of info from Reza. Having followed and studied the history of H.H. The Aga Khan, I wanted to simply add to this in saying that The Aga Khan IS a direct descendant of the Prophet through the Prophet’s daughter Fatima and cousin & son-in-law Hazrat Ali. His work that is being spoken of as philanthropy, is not quite so – for His position as the Imam of the community, this is part of His mandate.
Further to Reza’s comment on “too bad…” I would say that Muslims living n the US as in other parts of the world need to continue living their lives in the true spirit of Islam – explaining to non-muslims their beliefs without reacting in anger at the questions being posed, while maintaining a high road. This is not the first time in the history of Islam that the faith and its adherents are being confronted or attacked), and the Holy Qu’ran and the Prophet’s Hadiths are very clear on what a Muslim should do – definitely NOT to react in anger or reciprocate with negativeness. There will be those who will listen and there will always be those that refuse to listen. One can keep trying to engage in a dialog with those who do not want to listen, but if that is not successful, then it is best to leave them be.
Thank you Reza, for opening up more of God’s windows to learn about.
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Good job Anderson and Reza,
Anderson, I hope you will spend some time
and visit Aga Khan’s projects in the developing countries. They are immense! And they help millions of people around the world. Unfortunately, in the U.S. we do not hear much about them because they are being implemented by a Muslim Leader.
If Bill Gates, Oprah or Warren Buffet donates or supports a project in just one part of the world we would see these played endlessly on
T.V.
We are one of the best countries’ of the world with our democracy and other values but when it comes to Islam, nobody wants to bother. No good Muslim is worth receiving publicity, “because they are bad people”. Well, no Muslim is bad, it is only those who do not follow the tenets of the Qur’an or distort ithem to serve their own Agendas. Christians who support IRA or Oklahoma bombings are not good Christians.
For those of you who have asked “where are the moderates”, well, Aga Khan spoke out right after 9/11 condemning the attacks. However, as usual he did not get any coverage in the U.S. However, Canada interviewed him after 9/11 and his interview was repeatedly shown on TV there. In fact Judy of CNN spoke with him too, but did you guys see it on TV played over and over again?
Come on Anderson, lets see you cover Aga Khan’s projects in the world and show the other side of Islam.
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I appreciate the work done by Anderson towards Islam.
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