First U.S. Ismaili Center Opens in Houston as Landmark of Faith and Dialogue

First U.S. Ismaili Center Opens in Houston as Landmark of Faith and Dialogue
—————————–
Houston welcomed the first Ismaili Center in the United States on November 6, 2025, marking a historic moment for the global Ismaili Muslim community and the city’s growing role as a hub for cultural and interfaith engagement.

The center was inaugurated by Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the 50th hereditary Imam of the Ismailis, fulfilling a vision first conceived by his father, Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, nearly two decades ago. Prince Rahim emphasized that the center is “open to all who seek knowledge, reflection, and dialogue,” serving as both a spiritual and civic institution.

Located on Montrose Boulevard near Buffalo Bayou Park, the 150,000-square-foot facility sits on 11 acres of landscaped gardens. Designed by Farshid Moussavi Architecture and Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, it includes a five-story atrium, prayer hall, exhibition gallery, theater, banquet halls, café, and educational spaces.

Prince Rahim highlighted the center’s dual mission: facilitating daily prayer while promoting cultural exchange and learning through concerts, book launches, art exhibitions, and workshops. He added, “Empty buildings don’t serve communities… this Center will lift spirits and broaden horizons.”

The Houston Ismaili Center is the seventh globally, joining sister centers in London, Lisbon, Dubai, Dushanbe, Toronto, and Vancouver. Houston’s Ismaili population of roughly 40,000 and the city’s diversity make it a fitting location for this beacon of pluralism, dialogue, and civic engagement.