On 6 November 2025, Mayor John Whitmire inaugurated the Ismaili Center Houston in the presence of Mawlana Hazar Imam Aga Khan V.
Photo: The.Ismaili/IPL / Akbar Hakim
The Center is the nation’s first Ismaili civic and cultural complex dedicated to dialogue, culture and shared human values, and has been designed to serve both as a place of religious congregation for the Ismaili community and a welcoming space for the community at large.
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.
Built to LEED Gold standard and with the city’s subtropical climate in mind, the Ismaili Center Houston’s design combines modern technology with traditional Persian forms and ornament.
The Center fulfills a long-held vision of Mawlana Shah Karim Aga Khan IV (1936-2025), which began with the 2006 purchase of the land, and the commissioning of the building in 2018. The Ismaili Center in Houston joins a global family of buildings in London (1985), Vancouver (1985), Lisbon (1998), Dubai (2008), Dushanbe (2009), and Toronto (2014). Though their physical forms differ, they share a common purpose: to invite people from all walks of life to interact, explore, and work together for a better tomorrow.
Mayor Whitmire spoke of the magnitude and historic nature of today’s occasion. “The Ismaili community working with the city of Houston residents,” he said, “our region, our state of Texas, and the United States—we’re making a statement today that we’re all in this together.” The Mayor looked forward to the Center’s impact in the city and beyond: “This is only the beginning of something great,” he said.
Mawlana Hazar Imam stated “The relationships between Ismailis and the communities in which they live have always been grounded in understanding and common purpose. Today, we honour that tradition, extending the hand of friendship to all, regardless of background or faith. 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.”
Featuring a 150,000-square-foot (nearly 14,000 square-metre), five-storey structure is designed by internationally renowned architect Farshid Moussavi, founder of London-based Farshid Moussavi Architecture, with landscape architecture by Thomas Woltz of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects. The project was realised in collaboration with AKT II (structural, civil, geotechnical, bioclimatic and facade engineer), DLR Group (architect and engineer of record) and McCarthy (contractor).
“It is my deep hope,” said Hazar Imam, “… this Center will lift spirits and broaden horizons; this Center will bring people together, strengthen bonds, and help us all, collectively, to bring happiness and harmony to societies here and elsewhere.”
Welcome events for community partners and neighbours will take place on 12 and 13 December.
More at Aga Khan Development Network and The.Ismaili
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