Houston: The Ismaili Center, Houston was formally inaugurated on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 by Mayor John Whitmire in the presence of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, the Imam of the world’s Shia Ismaili Muslims, in a ceremony attended by civic and cultural leaders from Houston and beyond, as well as leaders and supporters from the Ismaili community from around the world. The Center is the nation’s first Ismaili civic and cultural complex dedicated to dialogue, culture and shared human values.
Set on 11 acres (4.5 hectares) overlooking Buffalo Bayou Park, this achievement in architecture and landscape architecture marks a historic milestone for the Ismaili community and Houston’s dynamic cultural landscape. The Ismaili Center, Houston has been thoughtfully designed to serve both as a place of religious congregation for the Ismaili community and a welcoming space for the community at large. The Center’s facilities will be accessible for a wide range of public programming, community use and collaborative initiatives.
Situated prominently at the intersection of Allen Parkway and Montrose Boulevard, along the rapidly developing Allen Parkway corridor overlooking Buffalo Bayou Park, the Center fulfills a long-held vision of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV (19362025), which began to unfold with the 2006 purchase of the land and was brought to life under the leadership of his son and successor, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V.
Comprising over nine acres of gardens and courtyards, the site unfolds around the Center’s luminous main structure, framed by tree-lined promenades, shaded terraces and a series of tranquil water features, including a grand reflecting fountain at the primary entry. Together, the building and landscape form a serene civic sanctuary that embodies the Ismaili ethos of harmony between people, place and nature.
“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,” said His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V. “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.”
A global ethos rooted in local context
Featuring a 150,000-square-foot (nearly 14,000 square-metre), five-storey structure 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 Ismaili Center, Houston is the first in the United States and the seventh worldwide, joining those in London (1985), Vancouver (1985), Lisbon (1998), Dubai (2008), Dushanbe (2009) and Toronto (2014).
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). The team emphasised a holistic, clientled process in which architecture, engineering, landscape and construction advanced together, minimising surprises and enabling high craft.
The Center is poised to become a major resource for Houston’s nonprofit and cultural sectors, offering access to spaces for meetings, conferences, lectures, performances and events.
Welcome events for community partners and neighbours will take place on 12 and 13 December. Ad-
ditional details will be shared in the coming weeks.
A space for reflection, dialogue and discovery
Ismaili Centers around the world serve as ambassadorial buildings, welcoming people of all backgrounds to explore the intersections of faith, culture and civic life. Each embodies the Ismaili community’s commitment to peaceful pluralism, intellectual engagement and shared humanity, offering a place for spiritual reflection, cultural exchange and public dialogue.
The Ismaili Center, Houston continues this tradition, envisioned as a living home for the mind and spirit – a place where programmes in education, art, music, performance and conversation come together to foster understanding among people of all backgrounds. Within its walls, visitors will find permanent and rotating art exhibitions, a black box theatre, function rooms, a café, administrative offices, classrooms and a Jamatkhana (prayer hall for Ismaili Muslims) that anchors the complex in devotion and community.
come together and celebrate what connects us,” said Mayor Whitmire.
Architectural dialogue tradition and mode
Rather than replicate historical styles, the architecture of the Ismaili Center, Houston translates enduring ideas from across the Muslim world – structure as legible order, ornament as human scale, repetition as unity and light as material – through contemporary craft. Inspiration from Persian domestic and palace traditions is evident in the eivans (verandas) and in perforated stone screens that temper light and privacy. Large geometric moves resolve into intimate detail, yielding spaces that feel clear, calm and timeless, rather than trend driven.
Shaped by Houston’s climate and the site’s geography, the Center choreographs a porous sequence of eivans and atria that pair shaded outdoor rooms with luminous interiors. These covered thresholds invite year-round movement between inside and out and remain open for informal use beyond scheduled programmes, reinforcing the Center’s civic mission as a daily destination for gathering, reflection and exchange.
In keeping with the Ismaili ethic of service, the Center is staffed largely by volunteers.
By welcoming organisations that advance the common good, from education and the arts to public health, environmental awareness and social equity, the Ismaili Center, Houston will be a place of connection, learning and openness, nurturing the exchange of ideas that strengthens the fabric of civic life.
“The City of Houston is proud to welcome the Ismaili Center, a place where people from every background can come together in dialogue, understanding and learning. When I visited the site during construction, I could already see what it would mean for our city. Now that it’s complete, it stands as a new monument along the Allen Parkway corridor, and a beacon of light surrounded by some of our most treasured neighbourhoods and cultural institutions. The Ismaili Center truly reflects the best of Houston’s spirit: our diversity, our compassion and our commitment to community. It’s a place that invites all Houstonians to
Materials were chosen for beauty, clarity and a 100-year life. The exterior employs small, varied stone tiles that read as quiet massing from afar and refined ornament up close. Inside, a restrained palette featuring silk-laminated glass, steel, wood paneling and ultra-high-performance concrete elevates geometry over finish. Screens shift from triangular apertures to subtle scallops to widen seated views while maintaining structural integrity. Above, an oculus (skylight) crowns the central atrium opposite the Jamatkhana (prayer hall) doors, aligning sky and sanctuary. Sited at the property’s highest point above the 500-year floodplain, the building is protected, and the underground parking garage is designed to take on water when necessary.
Landscape of reflection and resilience
For Woltz, the Ismaili Center, Houston represents the culmination of more than a decade of research into how the landscapes of the Muslim world can find new relevance in the 21st century. The Ismaili Center, Houston marks Nelson Byrd Woltz’s fourth project completed for the Aga Khan Development Network. When His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV engaged the firm in 2011, he tasked Woltz and his team with a year-long study across historic sites in Spain, Egypt and India to explore the spatial, sensory and cultural dimensions of Islamic gardens, such as the sound of water, the scale of walls, the rhythm of geometry and the symbolism
By Luam yoHanis
DaLLas: Harry Potter: The Exhibition had its soft opening on Friday, October 24 at Pepper Square on Preston Road in Dallas This globally acclaimed, immersive experience has captivated more than four million visitors around the world and will be in Dallas during the Holiday Season all the way through January 31, 2026.
The exhibition is a result of Warner Bros. studios collaborating
with Imagine Exhibitions to bring the Harry Potter world to Dallas. Imagine has organized many similar exhibitions across the United States, and beyond, like the Titanic, the King Tut exhibition, the Da Vinci exhibition, and many more. However, the Harry Potter one is truly a must-see for fans who are interested in seeing the actual props used on set, taking pictures, and connecting with other Harry Potter fans. At the VIP soft opening, visitors
were greeted with food and drinks while they familiarized themselves with the space. They were then handed a Bluetooth connected bracelet to sign in, at and pick a house and patron. The bracelet is used throughout the journey in the magical space to access interactive displays and earn points for their Hogwarts house.
The 60 to 90minute journey starts in a hall with a wall fused with a trolley (an homage to the iconic Platform Nine and Three
Deadline to receive applications extended to: Nov 14, 2025
Quarters). Then, at the usher’s magical words, the doors to the exhibition slide open, revealing a space where giant screens surround visitors, transforming the walls into a living illusion of the Marauder’s Map, while the floor mirrors intricate patterns. The numerous themed galleries feature authentic film artifacts, including Harry Potters Nimbus 2000, actor-worn costumes like Hogwarts uniforms and Quidditch robes, alongside meticulous recreations
of iconic scenes and settings. According to Tom Zaller, the founder and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions, “interactive shows have been a big trend over the past couple of years because they are truly able to immerse you in a fictional world if done correctly”. The Harry Potter exhibition has certainly achieved this.
For more information on the exhibition, including tickets and special programs, visit https://dallas. harrypotterexhibition.com
Houston: India House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the Greater Houston community, has been awarded a grant from the Texas Bar Foundation to support its Legal Clinic for Economically Disadvantaged Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs).
“Since its inception in 1965, the Texas Bar Foundation has award-
ed more than $30 million in grants to law-related programs. Supported by members of the State Bar of Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation is the nation’s largest charitably funded bar foundation.”
This generous grant will help India House continue providing free and low-cost legal consultations to individuals and families facing
financial hardship. We are deeply grateful to the Texas Bar Foundation for its support. This grant will allow us to expand access to justice for lawful permanent residents who may otherwise go without crucial legal assistance. It reaffirms our mission to empower underserved communities through resources, education, and compas-
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of enclosures. The insights from this study informed the firm’s approach to subsequent projects, including the Ismaili Center, Houston.
Drawing on those lessons, Woltz approached the Ismaili Center in Houston as both a work of environmental engineering and a living expression of cultural continuity.
The site was selected for its gentle slope toward the Buffalo Bayou, a topography that echoes ancient Persian gardens stepping down to a river. Woltz’s design transforms this terrain into a resilient system of terraced lawns, reflecting basins and floodadaptive gardens, capable of withstanding Houston’s 500-year storm events. Working with Professor Hanif Kara of Londonbased structural engineering firm AKT II, the team embedded a subtle geometric grid through both building and landscape, ensuring that every path, fountain and tree aligns in quiet visual harmony to follow ancient traditions of eastern cultures. Enclosed by sound-mitigating garden walls soon to be covered in creeping fig, the Center forms a tranquil enclave – shielded from the city yet deeply connected to its ecology.
Beyond its aesthetic and environmental ambitions, the landscape embodies the Ismaili ethos of community, stewardship and belonging. Woltz conceived the plantings as a “transect of Texas”, beginning with desert species like paddle cactus and agave, and moving through the prairie to the Gulf Coast, mirroring the adaptability of the Ismaili people in new homelands. Designed not as a static garden but as a living, evolving ecosystem, the site will mature over time. “It’s not just about beauty,” Woltz notes. “It’s about creating a place that brings people together in calm and reflection – a landscape of connection, resilience and care.”
A collaborative achievement
The Ismaili Center, Houston adds a defining new layer to the city’s reputation as a cultural capital of the American South, joining neighbouring landmarks such as The Menil Collection, Rothko Chapel, Asia Society Texas, Cistern and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
More than a place of worship or art, the Center stands as a symbol of openness – a space where communities converge to learn from one another, celebrate shared values and imagine a more connected world.
sionate service by providing legal seminars and citizenship information sessions.
Since its inception, India House’s Legal Clinic has provided hundreds of free consultations, connecting clients with experienced attorneys who volunteer their time to help those in need. This funding will enhance the program’s
outreach and sustain its impact among Houston’s diverse and economically challenged populations.
For more information about India House’s legal services or other community programs, please visit https://www.indiahouseinc.org/ programs-and-services/
new DeLHi: Intelligence agencies have uncovered what they describe as a wider terror conspiracy linked to the deadly car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort that killed 13 people, revealing plans to rig 32 vehicles with explosives for coordinated attacks across multiple cities, news agency ANI reported. According to intelligence sources, the ongoing investigation widened after it was found that the accused had already begun modifying two vehicles — a Hyundai i20 and a Ford EcoSport — for possible use in the attacks.
Officials are now investigating whether other cars were being prepared as part of a broader plan to execute serial blasts.“After the i20 and EcoSport, it came to light that preparations were underway to ready 32 more old vehicles which could be fitted with explosives,” an intelligence source told ANI.
Investigators said around eight suspects were allegedly preparing to carry out coordinated explosions at four locations, working in pairs with each pair assigned to a specific city. Preliminary findings suggest that each group was to move with multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for simultaneous strikes.Among those under scrutiny are individuals already linked to earlier terror cases, including Red Fort blast accused Dr Muzammil, Dr Adeel, Dr Umar and Dr Shaheen.
Sources said the accused had collectively raised around Rs 20
lakh, which was handed over to Umar for operational expenses. The funds were allegedly used to buy more than 20 quintals of NPK fertiliser — a mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium — worth around Rs 3 lakh from Gurugram, Nuh and nearby areas, intended for the preparation of explosives.Investigators have also found that Umar created a private Signal group comprising two to four members to coordinate activities securely.According to probe agencies, Dr Muzammil became inclined towards Ansar Gazwatul-Hind, an offshoot of ISIS, between 2021 and 2022 after maintaining contact with associates of slain militants. He was introduced
to the network by one Irfan, alias Maulvi. Weapons recovered in 2023 and 2024 are believed to have been procured by the module as part of efforts to form an independent terror group.Authorities said the group had been preparing to carry out the attacks in the near future and that the investigation is now focused on identifying the wider network involved.
On Wednesday, Faridabad Police seized a red EcoSport (registration number DL 10 CK 0458) suspected to be linked to Dr Umar Un Nabi, the prime suspect in the Delhi blast case. The car was found parked near Khandawali village.
Delhi Police on Thursday confirmed that the man who carried
out the blast was Dr Umar after forensic DNA testing matched his biological sample with that of his mother.While speaking to ANI, senior police officials said the confirmation followed several days of detailed forensic analysis.A senior police officer said: “After the explosion, Umar’s leg was found trapped between the steering wheel and the accelerator of the car, suggesting he was behind the wheel when the car blasted.”“DNA profiling has conclusively identified the deceased as DrUmar Un Nabi. His sample was matched with his mother’s DNA to establish the relationship,” the officer added.On Wednesday, the DNA samples of Dr Umar’s mother and
brother were collected and sent to the AIIMS forensic laboratory, where they were matched with the remains of the bodies kept at Lok Nayak Hospital in Delhi.
On Wednesday, the federal cabinet issued a resolution calling it “a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces”.
The reaction matched earlier comments by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who spoke of a “conspiracy”, warned that “the conspirators will not be spared” and “all those responsible will be brought to justice”.
Similar comments were made by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah. Mr Shah, who is in-charge of internal security, said he had instructed officials “to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident”.
Police confirmed that they had registered cases under the antiterror law Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) – in addition to the Explosives Act and criminal code - and the investigation was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), India’s counter-terrorism law enforcement agency.
The police or the NIA are yet to hold a press conference or issue a formal statement on the investigation.
But in the meantime, leaks and source-based reports in the Indian media have led to all sorts of unverified information making headlines. -- ToI, Combined Sources
November 14, 2025
stafforD: On November 2, 2025 at the Stafford Civic Center came alive with rhythm, grace, and electrifying energy as Indian Music and Performing Arts Inc (IMPA), under the leadership of its President and organizer Keka Kar, hosted an unforgettable evening featuring the internationally acclaimed Kathak maestro Kumar Sharma. The event was emceed by Jasmeeta Singh, a valuable artist, singer, dancer and realtor of our community. The board members Arvinder Singh, Rita Chinchlani (realtor) were there to support IMPA.
The event showcased a brilliant blend of pure Kathak and Kathak Fusion, captivating the audience with Sharma’s vibrant choreography, lightning-fast footwork, and charismatic stage presence. Despite the busy holiday weekend, a large and enthusiastic audience gathered to witness the spectacle — their thunderous applause and standing ovations a testament to the artist’s magnetic performance.
Kumar Sharma, the founder and artistic director of Kathak Rockers,
has revolutionized the presentation of Kathak on the global stage. Through Kathak Rockers, he has introduced innovative choreography that fuses traditional Kathak techniques with contemporary styles and rhythms, creating performances that appeal to both purists and modern art lovers alike. His troupe has performed worldwide, earning acclaim for redefining Kathak as a living, evolving
art form that continues to inspire and enthrall new generations.
Kumar Sharma has transformed Kathak from a traditional classical dance form — once reserved for connoisseurs of art and music — into a dynamic, widely appreciated art form that resonates with audiences across all ages and backgrounds. Much like how Jagjit Singh brought ghazals to the
mainstream, Kumar Sharma has elevated Kathak to new heights, infusing it with an electrifying appeal that bridges the gap between classical tradition and contemporary vibrance.
About IMPA Inc Indian Music and Performing Arts Inc (IMPA) is a non-profit organization, formed in 2023 is dedicated to promoting and pre-
serving India’s rich heritage of music, dance, and performing arts. Through its carefully curated programs and collaborations with renowned international artists, IMPA strives to educate, inspire, and bring communities together in cultural celebration. Upholding exceptionally high artistic standards, IMPA continues to nurture an appreciation for the performing arts by presenting workshops, events to promote Indian arts by giving opportunity to the American audience to learn and get motivation to take the art forward.
To further this mission, VOPA LLC, a sister organization which runs a Kathak, fusion dance school in Katy has been helping IMPA to organize more workshops soon featuring well-known classical dance exponents from India. These workshops aim to inspire students, cultivate emerging talent, and strengthen the artistic bridge between India and the global stage — continuing the shared vision of IMPA to promote excellence in Indian performing arts.
CLeBurne, texas: A Texas teen who killed six Indian-origin people in a headon crash in 2023 has been sentenced to 65 years in prison. Authorities said 19-yearold Luke Garrett Resecker, who was 17 when the accident took place, was under the influence of THC when he veered his car. The crash happened around 4 p.m. on Dec. 26, 2023, on U.S. Highway 67 near County Road 1119, south of Cleburne.An Indian family living in Georgia was in the car that Resecker veered into. The family was on their way back from Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose. Cops found THC inside Resecker’s car and toxicology confirmed active THC in his system when the crash occurred. Rushil Barri was driv-
ing the minivan in which the Indian family went on a safari. The victims were Naveena Potabathula, 36; Nageswararao Ponnada, 64; Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 60; 10-yearold Krithik Potabathula; and 9-year-old Nishidha Potabathula. The driver of the minivan 28-year-old Rushil Barri also died. Rushil’s cousin, Lokesh, was visiting from Georgia with his 9-year-old son, Nishidha Potabathula, 10-year-old daughter, Krithik Potabathula, his wife, Naveena Potabathula, his mother-in-law, Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, and father-in-law, Nageswararao Ponnada, who were visiting from India. Lokesh was the only survivor from the crash, but he was left paralyzed from the waist down. He lost his wife, two children, cousin and in-laws in the crash. Resecker also had a passenger who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury.
founDer: Dr. K.L. sinDwani
PuBLisHer: JawaHar maLHotra
eDitor: PramoD KuLKarni
CorresPonDent: sanCHaLi Basu
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By aBHisHeK srivastava
Story: Shazia, a devoted wife and mother, takes on her lawyerhusband after he divorces her, sparking a fierce courtroom battle. What begins as personal betrayal becomes a national debate on faith, rights, and justice.
Review: ‘Haq’ tells an extremely relevant story, one that feels urgent and necessary. Inspired by true events, the film is a fictionalized and dramatized version of the story stated in the book Bano: Bharat Ki Beti, written by Jigna Vora.
The film is an emotionally charged retelling of the historic Shah Bano case that shook India in the 1980s, and it traces the controversial maintenance lawsuit where the Supreme Court ruled in favour of divorced Muslim women.
Suparn S Varma’s vision is clear—he wants to remind us that personal stories can often echo profound social truths. The result is a film that feels both urgent and deeply affecting. With Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi leading from the front, ‘Haq’ becomes a rare social drama that manages to stay engaging without ever turning preachy.
It’s a story crafted with restraint, empathy, and a quiet sense of purpose.Set in the 70s and 80s, this period film revolves around Shazia Bano (Yami Gautam), who lives in Aligarh with her husband, Abbas Khan (Emraan Hashmi), a well-respected lawyer. After three children and years of marriage, her life shatters when Abbas returns from Pakistan with his second wife, Saira (Vartika Singh).
The humiliation that follows winds up in divorce after Abbas pronounces the three irrevocable words—talaq, talaq, talaq. Struggling to survive with even the bare minimum financial support withdrawn, Shazia approaches the courts for justice, supported strongly by her father, Maulvi Basheer (Danish Husain), who remains steadfast by her side. When
the case reaches the Supreme Court, it becomes not only a legal battle but also a moral one that reflects the struggle of countless women across the country. Every scene feels grounded and real, drawing you into Shazia’s world of quiet defiance and resilience. At its core, ‘Haq’ is a simple story told with sincerity—and that simplicity becomes its biggest triumph. The narrative never overcomplicates itself or resorts to unnecessary drama, unfolding in a linear and honest way. The director anchors the storytelling in emotion, never losing sight of the human cost beneath the legal and ideological battles. Much of the credit goes to Reshu Nath, whose writing—spanning story, dialogue, and screenplay—exudes clarity and cohesion. The film beautifully captures the texture of Western
Uttar Pradesh, with dialogues that sound authentic and grounded in the soil. Every frame and line carries intention, resulting in an experience that’s both immersive and emotionally resonant.‘Haq’ also thrives on its performances.
Yami Gautam delivers one of her finest acts yet—she embodies Shazia’s pain, courage, and dignity with remarkable control. She dominates every frame, delivering a performance that’s understated and unforgettable. Emraan Hashmi matches her beautifully, portraying Abbas with restraint and moral ambiguity instead of overt villainy. His anger is quiet, and that subtlety works. The movie stands tall as a film that speaks for the voiceless, upholds its integrity, and reminds us that truth, when expressed with simplicity, can be the most potent form of protest. -- ToI
Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine.
Send us the correct answer before November 18, 2025. Email us at indoamericannews@yahoo.com. Please send us your solved Sudoku for your name to be published.
Athavale, Sanchali Basu, Krishna R. Vuddagiri, Prabha Barvalia, Jawahar Khandheria, Mohit Mittal, Prabha Narumanchi, Anil Bhagtaney, Arup Gupta, Yudhveer Bagga, Hanumant Todgal, Naveen Garg, Bhumija Mittal, Murthy Mudigonda, Romy Mukhi, Taranjit Singh
