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.
ISMAILI CENTRE HOUSTON
Re: ISMAILI CENTRE HOUSTON
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
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
Re: ISMAILI CENTRE HOUSTON
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
More images at: https://the.ismaili/pt/en/news/gallery- ... er-houston
Watch video here: https://ismaili.us13.list-manage.com/tr ... 802765515c
Re: ISMAILI CENTRE HOUSTON
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.
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.
Re: ISMAILI CENTRE HOUSTON
Rizwan Saeed Sheikh is a Pakistani diplomat who is current Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, in office since 22 August 2024.
Re: ISMAILI CENTRE HOUSTON
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.
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.
Re: ISMAILI CENTRE HOUSTON
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.
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.
Re: ISMAILI CENTRE HOUSTON
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)
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)