From May 1–4, 2026, Dr. Jimmy Jones, Executive Vice President of TISA, visited Houston for a series of community engagements, lectures, khutbahs, and meetings across several of the city’s major Muslim institutions and community spaces. His visit served as an important opportunity to connect with the diverse and growing Muslim population of Houston. Throughout the visit, Dr. Jones met with community members, educators, leaders, and families from across the city, introducing many attendees to the mission and vision of TISA for the very first time.
The Houston visit began on Friday with Jumu‘ah at Masjid Al Salam, widely known as Champions Masjid, one of the largest and most established masajid in northwest Houston and part of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston network. Dr. Jones addressed a congregation estimated at nearly 800 attendees during the khutbah, which was also livestreamed online. Dr. Jones delivered reflections centered on strengthening marriages and families while also sharing insights into the work and educational offerings of TISA. Community members remained afterward with thoughtful questions and interest in learning more about Islamic higher education and TISA’s future initiatives. For many attendees, this was their first opportunity to hear directly about the seminary’s educational vision, academic programs, and growing national presence.
Later that evening, Dr. Jones was scheduled to speak at the MAS Katy Center. Although severe storms caused an unexpected power outage at the center, which forced the program to be canceled, he still had the opportunity to meet with community members individually in the area.
On Saturday, May 2, Dr. Jones visited ASIA Center in southeast Houston, a longstanding community institution committed to youth development and Islamic learning. Hosted by Imam Dr. Mohammed Nisaar ul Haq, he delivered a well-attended lecture for men, women, and youth focused on building healthy marriages and families grounded in faith, mercy, and mutual responsibility.
On Sunday, May 3, Dr. Jones continued his community engagements with visits to WDM Masjid and later Mercy Islamic Center on Hillcroft Avenue, one of Houston’s most vibrant and densely populated Muslim corridors. Hosted under the leadership of Imam Dr. Wazir Ali, these programs provided additional opportunities for discussion and relationship building with community members from across Houston’s diverse Muslim population.
Finally, on Monday evening, May 4, Dr. Jones delivered a post-Isha khatira at Quba Islamic Institute in southeast Houston, a center dedicated to Islamic scholarship and youth education under the direction of Imam Zahid Abdullah. The gathering was well attended, and community members remained afterward to inquire further about TISA’s programs and future opportunities for involvement.
In addition to the public lectures and khutbahs, Dr. Jones spent time over the weekend meeting with several educators, therapists, nonprofit leaders, professionals, and community activists throughout Houston. These conversations offered opportunities to better understand the needs, aspirations, and experiences of Muslim communities in the region.