The Ismaili Center
Events at this venue
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Center Talks | Ethical Decision Making: What Should Matter Most?
The Ismaili Center 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TXJoin us for the launch of Center Talks, a new speaker series and platform to explore ethics, faith, culture, and civic life through thoughtful dialogue. The inaugural session will be led by Dr. Bashir Jiwani, Lead Ethicist and Executive Director of Ethics Services at Fraser Health Authority and a Member of the Bioethics Council of Canada. Dr. Jiwani brings decades of experience applying ethical insights across healthcare and public life. Drawing on real-world examples from workplaces, neighborhoods, and institutions, Dr. Jiwani will invite participants to reflect on how ethical reasoning operates in practice—not in theory alone. The conversation will be in partnership with Dr. Zahra Jamal, Director of Workplace Strategy at Interfaith America and a Harvard‑trained scholar‑consultant specializing in religious inclusion, Muslim diversity, and organizational change. Together, they will explore how ethics can serve as both a personal compass and a shared civic language in pluralistic societies. The event will explore a central question of contemporary civic and professional life: how do we make good decisions when the values we hold genuinely conflict — and what role does one’s faith play in shaping those decisions? Participants will engage with real-world cases drawn from workplaces, neighborhoods, and institutions, decide what they think should matter most, and watch as their own choices reveal the complexity of living ethically in a pluralist world. Drawing on his framework for ethical literacy, Dr. Jiwani will help participants name what they are already doing when they reason well — and identify the specific skills and qualities of character that make it possible to do it better. Please join us for a pre-event reception at 6:00 pm, followed by the event at 6:30 pm. Stay tuned for the next Center Talks session, coming in Fall 2026.
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The Cardamom Challenge
The Ismaili Center 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TXSpice Routes: The Cardamom Challenge is a culinary showcase celebrating the global influence of cardamom through inventive sweet and savory dishes created by a curated lineup of chefs. Presented by Sysco Nourishing Neighbors and McCormick, the event will transform the Ismaili Center into a vibrant culinary and cultural marketplace featuring food tastings, zero-proof cocktails and signature beverages, a shopping bazaar, and timed guided tours to the Center’s art collection, gardens, and architecture. The event will also feature a chef “throwdown” competition with Critics’ Choice and People’s Choice awards, while benefiting Urban Harvest. Guest judges include personalities from the Houston food scene. Tastings and beverages: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tours: 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:30 p.m., and 1 p.m. Winners announced: 1:30 p.m. Spice Routes is just one of the many events where the Ismaili Center spotlights its mission to nurture mutual understanding by bringing diverse communities together through shared cultural experiences.
Free – $75.00 -
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TEDxHouston Countdown
The Ismaili Center 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TXSince its launch in 2020, TED Countdown has mobilized the world’s boldest problem-solvers to address climate impacts being felt across communities everywhere — from rising energy costs to severe weather. The shift to a cleaner, healthier and more affordable future is already underway. Our mission is to accelerate that momentum by changing the narrative through compelling storytelling, identifying and scaling high-impact solutions, and building a collaborative community by bringing people together across sectors and regions. TEDx Countdown supports locally-curated climate events, giving host communities the opportunity to showcase their own innovative solutions with the world. In 2025, TED selected TEDxHouston as one of the 19 TEDxCountdown events in 13 countries to participate in the TEDxCountdown anchor program, convening thought leaders from around the world to share diverse perspectives, build community and foster new collaborations that can lead to tangible progress. REGISTER HERE
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Movie Night
The Ismaili Center 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TXJoin us for the first movie night under the stars at the Ismaili Center! Bring your own blankets or chairs, and come early for lawn games before the movie. Doors open at 6:30 PM for lawn games and the film begins at 7:30 PM. We're screening Lilo & Stitch (2025), the beloved story of ohana, meaning family, reimagined for a whole new generation. Full of heart, humor, and unforgettable characters, it's the perfect film to share with the people you love most.
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Central Asia: Today and Tomorrow with Former President of Kyrgyzstan
The Ismaili Center 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TXJoin Roza Otunbayeva, Former President of Kyrgyzstan for an Ismaili Center International Lecture as she reflects on current conditions in Central Asia and future opportunities for women in the region. Ms. Otunbayeva will offer insights on the current Central Asian landscape and share why it is imperative for the region to embrace and reach sustainable development goals in order to enhance women's empowerment for societies and communities to thrive from a social and economic perspective. From April 2010 to December 2011, Ms. Otunbayeva served as president of Kyrgyzstan, becoming the first female head of state in Central Asia. Throughout her distinguished diplomatic career, Ms. Otunbayeva has held various positions, including serving as Ambassador to both the United States and United Kingdom and serving as the USSR's representative to UNESCO in Paris. She also served as the Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan on three separate occasions. Between 2022 and 2025, she served as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and led the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Ms. Otunbayeva will deliver a keynote address followed by a discussion moderated by Arturo Chavez, Vice President of Stantec and Asia Society Texas Board Member.
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District C Candidate Runoff Forum
The Ismaili Center 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TXNeartown/Montrose Super Neighborhood and the Ismaili Center will host a District C Candidate Runoff Forum on Wednesday, April 29th at the Ismaili Center. This public forum will bring together the runoff candidates to discuss key issues shaping the future of District C, including flooding and drainage infrastructure, transportation and mobility, pedestrian and cyclist safety, housing affordability and neighborhood growth, public safety, and overall quality of life. The discussion will be moderated by Leah Wolfthal and will include candidate introductions, a structured discussion, policy questions, and closing statements. This is an opportunity for residents, businesses, and community stakeholders to hear directly from the candidates and better understand their vision for District C.
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Raheleh Filsoofi Performance
The Ismaili Center 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TXListening: The Fourth String Live performance by Raheleh Filsoofi and Reza Filsoofi activating the ShahTár (شهتار), a four-string experimental rug instrument currently on view at the Ismaili Center Houston. The performance is part of Listening: The Fourth String and will feature eight Houston-based musicians. Drawing inspiration from the musical legacy of Sufi musician Moshtagh Ali Shah, Listening: The Fourth String introduces the ShahTár as an interactive instrument through performance and related workshops. The project explores sound as a practice of attentive listening and shared experience, offering audiences insight into Middle Eastern musical traditions and their resonance within the contemporary soundscape of the United States.
$25.00 -
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Nawruz Open House
The Ismaili Center 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TXJoin us on Sunday, March 29 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM for a special Nawruz Open House welcoming the arrival of spring. This community-focused event is designed to bring people together through engaging educational and interactive activities for all ages. Guests can explore cultural experiences and connect with others in a welcoming and vibrant environment. Activities will include a wishing tree, egg painting, floral crafts, spice and herb creation, kite designing, and more. A variety of food vendors will be on-site offering delicious and diverse food, snacks, sweets and refreshments. We are proud to partner with organizations including Asia Society Texas, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Children’s Museum of Houston, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Arab American Cultural and Community Center, Houston Botanic Garden, Trees for Houston, and Urban Harvest, bringing enriching experiences to the event. Bring your friends, family, and neighbors as we come together to learn, experience, and enjoy the spirit of the season. We look forward to welcoming you! Floral Painting Workshop Led by Artist Soni Malik Join us for a special interactive painting session led by local artist Soni Malik. In celebration of Nawruz, the painting is inspired by new beginnings and growth. During the one hour session, participants will be guided by Soni Malik to create artwork that reflects the vibrant energy of the Spring season. Whether you’re an experienced painter or simply exploring your creative side, this unique experience blends art, culture, and stunning views from the North Evian of the Ismaili Center into an unforgettable artist experience. Limited seats are available for the two sessions held on March 29th. First session will begin at 11am and the second session at 12:30pm. Tickets are $20 and include all art supplies needed for the session. We hope you join us for this immersive experience to paint, connect, and be inspired by the beauty of nature.
Free – $20.00 -
Sueños de al-Ándalus Concert
FeaturedThe Ismaili Center 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TXJoin us for an evening of music and discovery celebrating the extraordinary cultural legacy of medieval al-Andalus, where Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions converged to create something truly remarkable. The Al-Andaluz Project brings this heritage to life through enchanting melodies rooted in North African and Mediterranean influences, performed by an ensemble dedicated to the music of the three cultures that shaped the Middle Ages. Presented in partnership with the Ismaili Center Houston and the Consulado de España Houston, this free concert offers a rare opportunity to experience centuries of shared history through the universal language of music. Reserve your seat here
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The Alhambra Revealed
FeaturedThe Ismaili Center 2323 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TXJoin us for an evening exploring the Alhambra, the Nasrid dynasty’s “paradise on earth.” Dr. Fernando Martínez Ávila, Director of Archaeology, Alhambra & Generalife, will reveal the archaeological and architectural marvels behind the palace’s intricate geometry, water features, and poetic ornamentation, and discuss the interplay of Islamic and Jewish influences in medieval al-Andalus. The talk is especially resonant at the Ismaili Center, whose contemporary architecture draws on enduring ideas from the Muslim world. This event is sponsored by Archaeology Now and presented in partnership with the Consulado de España, Houston; Ismaili Center, Houston; and the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce. Click the link below to register. Register Now!