Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT

The Ismaili Center in Houston was inaugurated on November 6, 2025, by His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan, the 50th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, and John Whitmire, the Mayor of Houston. The Center, a beacon of beauty and elegance, is a sight to behold.

Like six other Ismaili Centers worldwide, it is adorned with stunning works of art, tastefully mounted on walls or placed on the floor. One large, lovely piece, titled Nocturnal Journey, on the 3rd floor, is a masterpiece that takes your breath away when you hear the story behind it.

Formed from a staggering four million beads, each meticulously embroidered by hand onto a textile substrate, the composition is a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship of the Egyptian-British artist Ahmed Moustafa and the twenty Ismaili women from the Ismaili Helping Society (IHS) in Mumbai, India. The artwork is based on a calligraphic painting produced by Moustafa in 1984, titled Nocturnal Journey, which commemorates the text of the first verse of Surah al-Isrāʾ (Chapter 17, The Night Journey) of the Holy Qur’an. This work, along with several others that form part of the Ismaili Center’s permanent art collection, is featured in a special piece on our sister website Simergphotos.

Please click: Stunning artwork at the Ismaili Center, Houston, Texas

Date posted: November 15, 2025.

Featured photo at the top of the post: Visitors attending the inauguration ceremony of the Ismaili Center in Houston get an introduction to the artwork, “Nocturnal Journey.”

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