With Islamophobia on the Rise, Houston Becomes Home to First Ismaili Center in the U.S. 

Between and the Institute for Social Initiative and Understanding s Islamophobia Index increased by points The Center for the Scrutiny of Organized Hate exposed that online Islamophobia was widespread throughout Zohran Mamdani s mayoral race in New York City From June to October the inquiry ascertained that online Islamophobic narratives frequently labeled Mamdani as a terrorist jihadist and a radical Muslim Use of such terminology supports Islamophobic tropes across both online and offline spaces This example reflects only one dimension of Islamophobia in the U S Closer to home students at the University of Houston s Muslim Trainee Association of late were casualties of an Islamophobic attack on October at Lynn Eusan Park on campus where a man approached their gathering threw a Quran into a bonfire and shouted anti-Muslim messages through a megaphone More examples of rising Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiments can be seen in Governor Abbott s fresh designation of a Muslim civil rights organization the Council on American-Islamic Relations CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations His states that CAIR seeks to impose Sharia or Islamic law and establish Islam s mastership of the world whatever that means are both unfounded and rooted in Islamophobic tropes In moments like these it becomes even more vital for the common good to invest in spaces like the new Ismaili Center in Texas largest city Despite growing anti-Muslim sentiments and discrimination American Muslims continue to engage civically and thrive as a society On November the Ismaili Center Houston the first Ismaili center in the country celebrated its grand opening There are more than practicing Ismaili Muslims a group of minority Muslims from the Shia sect in Houston Unlike Sunni Muslims the dominant and mainstream interpretation of Islam Ismaili Muslims believe in a central authority figure and spiritual leader at the moment Aga Khan V Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini Open to the community the center serves as a space for Ismaili Muslims to gather socialize educate and pray as well as for conferences seminars book launches concerts recitals and a large number of other gatherings The opening of this center is a step toward recognizing religious minorities not only in Houston but in Texas and across the U S There are only six other Ismaili centers in the world located in Vancouver Toronto London Lisbon Dubai and Dushanbe Tajikistan The Houston center s architecture and landscaping purposely fuse contemporary imagery with Islamic-Persian elements The building s interior features three atriums each designed as open non-exclusive spaces that provide flexible circulation and interaction between rooms dedicated to specific events Verandas supported by slender columns reflect architectural elements from Persepolis and seventh-century palaces in Isfahan Persia Numerous of the design features will have hidden batin symbolic meanings to signify spiritual dimensions of the Muslim faith The center s exterior includes landscaped gardens to reflect serenity and peace It merges seamlessly into Houston s cultural landscape Places like the Ismaili Center play an essential role in cosmopolitan cities like Houston They provide venues for respect community instruction and peaceful coexistence Policymakers should recognize the significance of these institutions as their contributions to civic engagement and inclusive social participation are fundamental to a functional democracy The opening of the center provides a meaningful opportunity to advance social cohesion population formation and interfaith engagement for Houstonians and can serve as a vital supply for residents to develop religious literacy and explore architectural space as sacred Just as the Ismaili Center in Toronto and other cities host civic and interfaith programs through lectures and exhibitions the Houston center can offer similar opportunities for residents to engage with such social initiatives Furthermore general protocol can be strengthened by supporting district engagement with interfaith understanding For example in June Governor Abbott signed Senate Bill requiring every classroom in Texas masses schools to display the Ten Commandments and Senate Bill allowing students and staff to participate in daily voluntary prayer and reading of religious texts Implementation of such bills does not take into consideration interfaith and non-religious perspectives that uphold the American principles of inclusivity and pluralism These principles can be advanced by supporting region spaces like the Ismaili Center that foster meaningful dialogue The southern hospitality that is an essential part of the Texan neighborhood provides a perfect space for multiple faith and non-faith groups to thrive in However Governor Abbott s disregard for pluralism and his Islamophobic remarks and actions highlight a different side This contract underscores the importance and need of focusing on positive social and civic contributions of multiple American communities in Texas The post With Islamophobia on the Rise Houston Becomes Home to First Ismaili Center in the U S appeared first on The Texas Observer