Sadruddhin Aga Khan

Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan (January 17, 1933 – May 12, 2003) was the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 1965 to 1977.

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Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, he was the son of His Highness Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III (1877-1957) and his second wife Andr?e Jos?phine Carron.

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Prince Sadruddin had French, Iranian and Swiss nationalities. He was fluent in French, English ,German , Italian and spoke some Persian language and Arabic.

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He was an uncle of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, 49th Imam of the Ismailis.

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Early education included private tutoring, with Prince Karim (later Aga Khan IV), by Mustafa Kamil, a scholar from Aligarh Muslim University engaged by his father, Aga Khan III.

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He graduated from Harvard University, then attended the Centre of Middle Eastern Studies and started his career as publisher of Paris Review. In 1958 he became a consultant for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. He moved to the United Nations refugee agency in 1959, and was High Commissioner for Refugees from 1965 to 1977, during which time there were refugee crises in Biafra, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Chile. In 1981 his attempt to become United Nations Secretary-General was vetoed by the Soviet Union. He was coordinator for United Nations humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan from 1988 to 1990, and a representative for humanitarian assistance in Iraq and Kuwait in 1991. He ran again unsuccessfully for the post of Secretary-General in 1991, but failed to obtain it.

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He primarily resided in Switzerland. On August 27, 1957, he married model Nina Dyer (1930-1965), formerly wife of Baron Hans Heinrich von Thyssen-Bornemisza. They divorced in 1962. He married Katherine Beriketti, formerly wife of Cyril Sursock, in 1972. She converted to Islam under the name of Aleya bint Abdullah.

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Sadruddin Aga Khan was a collector of Islamic art and books. After leaving the United Nations he became an activist on environmental and humanitarian issues. He died in Boston , Massachusetts in the United States in 2003.

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Links:

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0%2C%2C1-45-681660%2C00.html

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January 17: January 17 is the 17th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 348 days remaining (349 in leap years)....

1933: 1933 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar)....

May 12: May 12 is the 132nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (133rd in leap years). There are 233 days remaining....

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