“I think the Ismailis are a remarkable people,” said Becky Miller, a former mayor of the City of Carrollton, Texas. On Jan. 17 Miller and eight representatives of the First Baptist Church of Carrollton visited Headquarters Jamatkhana in Dallas, TX, where the local Ismaili community in Carrollton worship. The Shi’i Imami Ismaili Muslims, generally known as the Ismailis, belong to the Shi’i branch of Islam—the other major branch being Sunni. Though a minority, their focus on balancing spiritual and material lives has made the Ismaili community socially conscious, with a strong work ethic.
The Baptists came expecting to see a place of worship, but they soon found themselves engaged in a dialogue of understanding and cooperation. The Ismailis, along with other Muslims, firmly believe in the dignity of all mankind and regard other faith communities as People of the Book, [Ahl al Kitab], to be respected and treated as brothers and sisters, all created by the one God.
“It was a magnificent experience,” Miller said.
via Muslim-American Activism: Baptists, Ismaili Texans Get to Know Each Other, Thanks to Becky Miller.
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