https://the.ismaili/us/en/news/keys-to-belonging-a-rare-honor-decades-in-the-making
On November 9, 2025, Mawlana Hazar Imam received the Keys to the Cities of Dallas, Carrollton, and Euless — a rare honor, given only to individuals who are highly regarded and who represent a city’s values. The city of Dallas last gave a key to basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki, who spent 21 seasons with the Mavericks. That was 2018.
Mawlana Hazar Imam’s warm welcome from three Dallas-area mayors and two mayors pro tem — on a Sunday, when city officials typically pause public commitments — sent a strong message about the Jamat’s presence in the Central U.S. region. The cities of Plano and Lewisville also recognized the Imam with proclamations commemorating his visit to the Dallas area.
“City leaders from all of the Jamatkhanas across the North Texas area were effectively present there and that was, I think, an indication of the region coming together in support of our large and very influential Ismaili population,” Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick said in an interview after the event.
Planting Their Roots
Ismailis have called the Dallas area home for nearly six decades, drawn to the region for its economic and transportation opportunities. Over those decades, the community has built genuine relationships with the cities around them through civic participation.
That was visible last year when Lewisville Jamatkhana opened as the fifth Jamatkhana in the Dallas area. In the development’s early stages, city leaders and Jamati leadership came together to plant a tree on the property as a lasting reminder of shared stewardship and common ground.
“I couldn’t think of a better capstone than this beautiful community-centric building, a space that is open to all, a space where we can connect,” Lewisville Mayor TJ Gilmore said at the Jamatkhana’s civic opening, which coincided with the city’s 100th anniversary.
Reciprocated Honors
Hundreds of volunteers organized Mawlana Hazar Imam’s November visit in a matter of weeks, renovating Dallas Headquarters Jamatkhana for a Youth Mulaqat and converting the city’s convention center into a Didar and Multifaith Reception venue.
Soon after touching down in Dallas, Mawlana Hazar Imam met with civic leaders from Carrollton, Dallas, Euless, Lewisville and Plano and expressed his gratitude for their support of the Jamat. Each of the mayors spoke about the positive impacts the Ismaili community has made in their cities. The conversation was, as Babick described it, “very cordial and collaborative and interactive.” The mayors invited Hazar Imam to “come back many, many times in the future,” Babick said.
Dallas officials, including the City Manager, Police Chief and other members of the Dallas Police Department, had made special arrangements leading up to and during Mawlana Hazar Imam’s visit. At the conclusion of his visit, they joined him at the airport in a mark of respect to him and the wider Jamat.
The Keys to the Cities of Dallas, Carrollton, and Euless are now with Hazar Imam’s office — a symbol of the relationships the USA Jamat continues to cultivate in the cities they call home.