ABSTRACT
The Ismailis represent the second most important Shiʿi Muslim community, after the Ithnaʿashari or Twelver Shiʿa (often classed with them among the Batiniyya esoteric theological schools). They have subdivided into a number of major branches and minor groups in the course of a complex history dating back to the middle of the eighth century. Today the Ismailis belong to the Nizari and Tayyibi branches and are scattered as religious minorities in many countries of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America. Numbering several millions, they also represent a diversity of ethnic groups and speak a variety of languages, including Persian and Arabic, as well as a number of Indic and European tongues. At the present time, the majority of the world’s Ismaili population, belonging to the Nizari branch, acknowledge the Aga Khan as their Imam or spiritual leader.
