ISMAILI CENTRE HOUSTON

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The Ismaili Update: USA visit - Part 2

Video: https://youtu.be/YV6q_kdD_C4

Welcome to another special edition of The Ismaili Update! On 6 November, Mawlana Hazar Imam and the Mayor of Houston, the Honorable John Whitmire officially inaugurated the Ismaili Center in Houston, marking a historic moment for the Jamat. Prince Amyn, Prince Hussain and Prince Aly Muhammad attended the ceremony alongside members of Congress, Texas state legislators, and representatives of faith communities from across the country. Stay tuned for more updates.

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This Is Our Home

The Ismaili is pleased to release “This Is Our Home” — a musical tribute marking the historic inauguration of the Ismaili Center Houston, USA. Sung in four languages and featuring artists from across the United States, the song celebrates unity, hope, and belonging, reflecting the spirit of togetherness that the new Center brings to the Jamat and the wider community.

Video: https://youtu.be/UD5qYcK8Dq0

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Gallery: Ismaili Center, Houston



More images at: https://the.ismaili/pt/en/news/gallery- ... er-houston



Watch video here: https://ismaili.us13.list-manage.com/tr ... 802765515c

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Amb. Rizwan Saeed Sheikh
2025, Nov 7

Delighted to attend the inauguration ceremony of Ismaili Center, Houston. Had the singularly significant honor of interacting with HH Prince Rahim Agha Khan. The imposing & beautiful structure of the center completed under HH patronage will serve as a venue for community services and interfaith harmony as envisioned by the late Prince Karim Agha Khan.

His services to humanity stand out as a symbol of leadership, foresight and compassion. Great to see Agha Khan V following the footsteps of his illustrious father.

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Amb. Rizwan Saeed Sheikh

Rizwan Saeed Sheikh is a Pakistani diplomat who is current Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, in office since 22 August 2024.

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https://dallasexpress.com/city/prince-r ... l-leaders/

Prince Rahim Aga Khan V Visits Dallas, Meets Local Leaders
Dallas Express
Dallas
Nov 10, 2025



Thousands of Ismaili Muslims will be in downtown Dallas on Monday to greet their spiritual leader, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, during a rare U.S. visit that includes meetings with city officials and community members.

The Aga Khan spent the past week in Texas to open the nation’s first Ismaili Center in Houston — the seventh such facility worldwide. The 11-acre campus features gardens inspired by Texas’ natural landscapes and a 150,000-square-foot structure that blends modern architecture with classical Islamic elements.

“Empty buildings, however striking, do not serve their communities,” the Aga Khan said during the opening ceremony. “The Center will bring people together, strengthen bonds, and help us all collectively to bring happiness and harmony to societies here and elsewhere.”
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick, and Plano Mayor John Muns welcomed the Aga Khan at Dallas Executive Airport on Sunday. Representatives from Euless and Lewisville were also present. Each mayor presented the Aga Khan with a key to their city.

Babick described the experience as deeply meaningful. “I am a Catholic, so to me, it is as though the Pope came to Texas and to Carrollton,” Babick told Axios. “He is a very non-ostentatious person. He is very low key, very polite. He does not come across as somebody of such significance. And so that was, to me, a real honor.”

Prince Rahim succeeded his father, who passed away in February at age 88. The Ismaili community, a branch of Shia Islam, recognizes him as a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad and spiritual leader to millions worldwide.

The Dallas stop marked the Aga Khan’s first visit to the United States in a religious role and highlighted the growing Ismaili Muslim population across North Texas.

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2025, November 9:

https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/i ... y-see-pics.

Ismaili Community Inaugurates First U.S. Centre In Houston; Prince Rahim Aga Khan V And Mayor Whitmire Attend Ceremony
- See more Pics in link above

The centre was formally inaugurated this week by Houston Mayor John Whitmire, in the presence of Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the spiritual leader (Imam) of the world’s Shia Ismaili Muslims. The community stated that the project fulfills a long-cherished vision of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV (1936–2025).
Manoj RamakrishnanUpdated: Sunday, November 09, 2025, 06:20 AM IST



Set across 11 acres in Buffalo Bayou Park, the complex includes over nine acres of gardens and courtyards, with a 150,000-square-foot, five-storey main building designed by architect Farshid Moussavi of London-based Farshid Moussavi Architecture. The landscape design was led by Thomas Woltz of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.

The Ismaili Center, Houston, enhances the city’s reputation as a cultural capital of the American South, the community noted. The building features art galleries, classrooms, a black box theatre, function halls, a café, and the Jamatkhana, the prayer hall for Ismaili Muslims. True to the Ismaili tradition of service, the centre is largely staffed by volunteers.

“This building may be called an Ismaili Center, but it is not here for Ismailis only. It is for all Houstonians to use—a place open to all who seek knowledge, reflection, and dialogue,” said Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, during his address.

Architecture Rooted in Tradition and Modernity

Architecturally, the centre blends Muslim world aesthetics with contemporary design principles, tailored for Houston’s warm climate. It uses verandas and perforated stone screens to temper light and heat, creating serene yet functional spaces. Materials were selected for durability, clarity, and longevity, including stone tiles, silk-laminated glass, steel, and high-performance concrete.
Ismaili Community Inaugurates First U.S. Centre In Houston

A skylight, or oculus, crowns the atrium opposite the prayer hall, symbolizing the alignment of sky and the sacred.

Landscaping Inspired by Islamic Gardens

Landscape architect Thomas Woltz described the project as the result of a decade-long study on how the landscapes of the Muslim world can adapt to the 21st century. The Buffalo Bayou site’s natural slope inspired a design reminiscent of Persian gardens, with terraced lawns, reflecting pools, and flood-resilient gardens capable of withstanding Houston’s severe storm events.

Working with Professor Hanif Kara of AKT II, Woltz integrated a geometric grid aligning every path, tree, and water feature in harmonious balance, reflecting Islamic design traditions. The landscaping transitions from desert plants like cactus and agave to prairie and coastal vegetation, symbolizing the Ismaili spirit of adaptability.

‘Reflects the Best of Houston’s Spirit’

During the ceremony, Mayor John Whitmire lauded the centre’s message of unity and inclusion: “The Ismaili Center reflects the best of Houston’s spirit—our diversity, our compassion, and our commitment to community. It invites all Houstonians to come together and celebrate what connects us.”

About the Ismaili Muslims

The Ismailis are a global Shia Muslim community present in over 70 countries, guided by a hereditary Imam, currently Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the 50th direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad. He leads the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the world’s largest private development agencies, working across 30+ countries to improve quality of life for marginalized communities, irrespective of faith.

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https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/int ... entre.html
THE WEEK

Ismaili Centre Inaugurated in Houston First of its Kind in US
PTI Updated: November 13, 2025 11:19 IST

Houston(US), Nov 13 (PTI) The first-ever Ismaili Centre in the United States was inaugurated in Houston, marking a milestone for the city’s cultural landscape and the global Ismaili community.

Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan V, 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community, inaugurated the centre on November 6.

The ceremony was attended by John Whitmire, Mayor of Houston, Princes Amyn, Hussain, and Aly Muhammad, members of the US Congress, Texas legislators, and representatives of interfaith and civic organisations.

An Ismaili Centre is a place of worship, social, and cultural gathering for Ismaili Muslims.

Set on more than nine acres near Buffalo Bayou, the 150,000-square-foot facility joins six previous Ismaili Centres worldwide — in London, Vancouver, Toronto, Lisbon, Dubai, and Dushanbe. It is designed by architect Farshid Moussavi and landscape architect Thomas Woltz, blending modern design with Islamic architectural elements and is built to LEED Gold environmental standards.

“This building may be called an Ismaili Centre, but it is not here for Ismailis only,” the Aga Khan said. “It is for all Houstonians — a place open to all who seek knowledge, reflection, and dialogue.”

Mayor Whitmire described the opening as “a proud moment for the city” and a “statement of unity, faith, and shared purpose.”

The centre will serve as a cultural, civic, and educational hub, hosting exhibitions, performances, lectures, and interfaith dialogues, while also providing space for the Ismaili community’s religious and social gatherings.

Houston has a sizable Indian-origin Ismaili population, whose civic and cultural engagement makes the inauguration particularly significant for the diaspora and communities in India.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)

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2025, December 13: Houson Ismaili Center

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2026 Landmark Award



Category: Public Assembly
Winner: Ismaili Center Houston
Address: 2323 Allen Parkway, Houston
Size: 11 acres; 150,000 square feet
Value: Not disclosed
Developer: Imara Houston
General contractor: McCarthy Building Companies Inc.
Architect: Farshid Moussavi Architecture
Engineer(s): AKT II
MEP: AKT II
Financier(s): The Ismaili Imamat, the office occupied by His Highness the Aga Khan, provided the funding for the construction with additional support from the Ismaili community
Other dealmakers: Nelson Byrd Woltz (landscape architect); DLR Group (architect and engineer of record); Farshid Moussavi Architecture (site-specific furniture)

https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/new ... nners.html

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https://www.click2houston.com/news/loca ... li-center/

<b>'Kill all the Muslims and Jews': Man arrested for threats made at Houston's Ismaili Center
Jacolby Poindexter, 29, charged with terroristic threat</b>

Bryce Newberry, Reporter
Published: May 18, 2026 at 3:27 PM

HOUSTON – A 29-year-old man was arrested over the weekend on a terroristic threat warrant after allegedly making death threats at Houston’s Ismaili Center Houston last month.

Jacolby Poindexter, 29, was arrested Saturday, according to records, before posting a $30,000 bond on a terroristic threat charge Sunday.

In mid-April, Poindexter allegedly drove onto the property on Allen Parkway and spoke with a security guard, pretending to know him. Once on the property, he allegedly began making derogatory comments to a volunteer.

“Muhammad had a 9-year-old wife; he’s worse than Epstein,” Poindexter allegedly told the volunteer, adding, “This is our hood, and you guys are taking over.”

The volunteer told Poindexter to leave the property, but he allegedly refused, saying he wanted to visit, according to court records.

That’s when the rhetoric allegedly became more violent, with Poindexter repeatedly saying he would return and “kill all the Muslims and Jews.”

Another witness told police she heard Poindexter making statements regarding Muhammad and Islam. As he was leaving, she took photos of his car.

Police linked the vehicle to Poindexter during the investigation. According to records, he admitted to being at the Ismaili Center on the day of the incident and said he was “upset because (he) has been through some things when it comes to Islamic people.”

Poindexter added that he was just voicing his opinion and perhaps should not have expressed it that way, but he denied making any death threats.

As a direct result of the incident, court records indicate the Ismaili Center “heightened security measures on the property out of concern for potential future violence.”

A spokesperson for the Ismaili Center shared the following statement with KPRC 2 News:

“The Ismaili Center is a welcoming place for people of all walks of life to engage in dialogue and intellectual engagement. The Center, which includes 9 acres of gardens, fosters peace and harmony, reflecting values of inclusivity and commitment to improving quality of life for all,” the spokesperson said.

Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.

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Ismaili Center Houston awarded LEED Gold certification



The Ismaili Center, Houston has received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, an internationally recognized benchmark for environmentally responsible buildings. The designation recognizes projects that meet rigorous standards for sustainability, including energy efficiency, water conservation, responsible materials, reduced carbon emissions, enhanced indoor environmental quality, and overall environmental performance.

While the certification marks an important milestone, it was not the primary objective of the project. From the beginning, the vision for the Ismaili Center was to create a place of openness, connection, and learning that would serve both the Ismaili community and the wider public. Environmental responsibility was part of that vision from the earliest stages of design. This achievement marks a significant milestone not only for the Ismaili community, but also for the broader city of Houston as it continues to embrace forward-thinking, environmentally responsible development.

Thoughtful architecture and responsible urban design increasingly shapes how cities respond to environmental pressures. Projects such as the Ismaili Center reflect the growing recognition that civic and cultural spaces must also be designed with long-term environmental responsibility in mind.


Photo: IPL / Nic Lehoux

What LEED Gold certification represents

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is one of the most widely used sustainability frameworks in the world. Buildings are evaluated across multiple categories, including energy efficiency, water conservation, use of natural lighting, indoor environmental quality, green spaces, and responsible site development. Projects that achieve LEED Gold certification demonstrate strong performance across these areas, recognizing buildings designed to reduce environmental impact while supporting healthier built environments.

For the Ismaili Center Houston, the certification reflects a careful design process in which architects, landscape designers, and engineers worked collaboratively to ensure the building responds responsibly to its climate and surroundings. At the Center's opening, His Highness the Aga Khan noted, “I am proud that this Center has been built to LEED Gold standard, reflecting our commitment to stewardship of the earth.”


Photo: IPL / Salina Kassam

Designing with place in mind

The Ismaili Center in Houston stands on an eleven-acre site along Buffalo Bayou within one of the city's cultural corridors. Both the architecture and landscape were designed with close attention to Houston's climate and ecological conditions.

“From the beginning,” architect Farshid Moussavi said, “we understood environmental responsibility not as a set of targets to meet but as a condition of the design itself. The three eivans or large covered outdoor spaces, shade the building's glazed facades, reducing direct solar exposure by seventy-five percent and significantly lowering the cooling load in Houston's subtropical climate. Paired with the atria, they draw natural light deep into the building while the stepped atrium profiles channel warm air upward and out through roof oculi, reducing energy consumption by thirty percent compared to conventional ventilation systems. The stone rainscreen was chosen not only for its spatial qualities but for its longevity and material efficiency: the small tile format increases stone yield by twenty to twenty-five percent, reducing waste, and the building is engineered for a hundred-year lifespan.” She explains that “these were not decisions made in response to a sustainability checklist. Each one was a spatial decision and an environmental decision simultaneously, and it is that innovation and integration that the LEED Gold certification reflects.”

More than eight hundred trees and thousands of plants were also planted across the campus, creating a landscape that supports biodiversity while helping the site respond to heat, drought, and periodic flooding.

“The Ismaili Center gardens reinterpret Islamic landscape traditions while grounding the Center in Texas’s diverse ecologies and addressing flood risks,” said landscape architect Thomas Woltz.


Photo: IPL / Nic Lehoux

Environmental performance and sustainable design

Several environmental strategies to cope with Houston's subtropical climate shaped every landscaping decision and contributed to the Center's LEED Gold certification.

Energy efficiency was achieved through a high-performance building envelope and efficient mechanical systems designed to reduce overall energy demand. The lighting system achieves approximately a thirty percent reduction in energy use compared with standard baselines.

Water conservation was another priority. Climate-appropriate plantings and efficient irrigation systems significantly reduce outdoor water use, while low-flow plumbing fixtures inside the building reduce indoor potable water consumption, together saving tens of thousands of gallons of water each year.

Material selection, electrical design, and the use of recycled content also helped reduce environmental impact. In the structural concrete, a portion of Portland cement was replaced with supplementary materials such as fly ash and slag, lowering the carbon footprint associated with construction.

The Center was engineered for a one-hundred-year lifespan. That is a different kind of ambition than most buildings carry. It reflects an understanding that true sustainability is more than its certification points; it is whether a building will still be standing, still serving, still adapting long after its builders are gone.


Photo: IPL / Nic Lehoux

Environmental stewardship beyond the building

As His Late Highness Aga Khan IV observed in 2004 at his address at the Ninth Aga Khan Award for Architecture ceremony, “In Islam, the Holy Qu’ran says that man is God's noblest creation to whom He has entrusted the stewardship of all that is on earth. Each generation must leave for its successors an enhanced and sustainable social and physical environment.”

The Ismaili Center's LEED Gold certification is the result of deliberate design choices, but those choices don't exist in isolation. They reflect a broader ethic of stewardship expressed through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), rooted in concepts of morally accountable and responsible caretakers of the earth that are at the heart of Islamic teaching.

Across many countries, AKDN initiatives demonstrate how environmental responsibility and social development can reinforce one another. One example is Al-Azhar Park in Cairo, where land that had long served as a debris site was transformed into fifteen hectares of public green space, which became a vibrant place for the public to enjoy and revitalize surrounding neighborhoods.

Within the Ismaili community itself, similar principles increasingly guide local initiatives. Many Jamatkhanas, or spaces of gathering and worship, have introduced energy-efficiency improvements, water conservation, and renewable energy systems, including solar installations. Community programs have also encouraged greater awareness of sustainable living and environmental responsibility.


Photo: IPL / Strata visuals

A continuing commitment

The LEED Gold certification of the Ismaili Center represents an important milestone, but it is not an endpoint. Environmental sustainability requires continued attention, adaptation, and innovation.

Cities like Houston continue to grow rapidly, and the choices made in planning and development today will shape the wellbeing of communities for decades to come. Thoughtful architecture and responsible landscape design can play an important role in addressing these challenges.

The Ismaili Center was conceived as a place for reflection, dialogue, and civic engagement. Its gardens and architecture invite visitors from all backgrounds to gather, learn, reflect, and connect.

In that sense, the recognition reflects something larger than a certification alone. It highlights the role that communities and institutions can play in building spaces that are both welcoming and environmentally responsible.

https://the.ismaili/gb/en/news/ismaili- ... tification