Khoja, originally a Persian word, refers to a community of people who follow the Shia branch of Islam. They are found mainly in South Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East. The term 'Khoja' is considered to be a derogatory term and is therefore not favored by the community who prefer to call themselves 'Ismailis' or 'Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims.' Other synonyms for 'Khoja' include 'Nizari,' 'Hashishi,' and 'Aga Khani.' These terms are used by different sub-groups within the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim community. While they are different, they all share the commonalities of their Islamic faith and their allegiance to their Imam, the spiritual leader of the community.