The Ismailis are a Shia Muslim sect who revere a number of Imams, including Imam Ismail, who died in AD765. They have a worldwide population of about 15 million, including 500,000 in Pakistan. There are also large populations in India, Afghanistan and parts of Africa. Prince Karim Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather as Imam of the Ismaili Muslims in 1957 at the age of 20. He died surrounded by family in Lisbon, Portugal, which is the seat of the Ismaili Imamat. A funeral will be held there in coming days.
