A newly opened Islamic education and community center in Alief is creating a welcoming space for Spanish-speaking Muslims, a group often overlooked in Houston’s diverse Muslim community.

Centro Islamico, located on Brant Road, offers more than just a place of worship. It also serves as an educational hub, aiming to foster understanding of Islam among the Latino population, Click2Houston reported.

Founded by Jaime “Mujahid” Fletcher, the center is part of IslamInSpanish, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making Islamic education accessible to Spanish speakers. Fletcher, a former gang leader who converted to Islam after a year of self-reflection, hopes the center will provide a space for Muslims like him to reconnect with their faith and culture.

“This center is almost like Islam on display,” said Fletcher. “It’s a place where people can come and learn, not only about Islam, but about the historical connection between Latinos and the religion.”

Centro Islamico features a prayer hall, a museum dedicated to the history of Muslims in Spain, and a community space. The 10,000-square-foot building also hosts Friday prayers in Spanish and English, making it a unique resource for Houston’s growing Latino Muslim population.

Fletcher’s wife, Sandy “Sakinah” Gutierrez, who serves as the center’s interior designer and COO of IslamInSpanish, emphasised the importance of making the space approachable.

The center’s design incorporates Andalusian art and architecture, paying homage to the historical Muslim presence in Spain. “When you first walk in, you’ll see a mural inspired by Andalusian design,” Gutierrez said. “We wanted the space to feel familiar and welcoming.”

One of the key features of Centro Islamico is its focus on education. The museum highlights 800 years of Muslim history in Spain, aiming to dispel misconceptions about Islam’s global reach.

“A lot of times people think Islam is an Arab religion, but it was native to Spain for centuries, where many of us have roots,” Fletcher explained.

In addition to its religious and educational offerings, the center has a café and a youth room designed to make visitors feel at home.

“We want people to come in, drink coffee, ask questions, and feel comfortable exploring the space,” Gutierrez said.

“Even if they don’t have questions, they’re welcome to observe.”

The center’s inclusive approach has attracted a wide range of visitors, but it has also faced some criticism from traditionalist Muslims. Despite this, Gutierrez believes that the center’s mission to bridge cultural and religious gaps is essential.

“We’ve been through the process of not knowing what Islam was,” she said. “We designed this space to minimize any tension or fear people might have.”

Centro Islamico is currently in a soft launch, with a grand opening set for November 16. The center offers Friday sermons in Spanish at 1:30 p.m. and in English at 2:30 p.m., and all visitors are welcome.

Source: About Islam