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Overlooking Buffalo Bayou, Houston's Ismaili Center hosted an opening ceremony Thursday as the first such center in the United States and the seventh worldwide. It’s been nearly 20 years in the making and serves as an ambassadorial building for the Shia Ismaili branch of Islam.

The 150,000-square foot center is expected to open to the public in December, with welcome events planned for Dec. 12 and Dec. 13.

In a ceremony Thursday morning, Houston Mayor John Whitmire stood alongside the spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V.

Iwan Baan/Provided

"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," Whitmire said in a

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