H.R. No. 1293
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, One year after the rebuilding of its mosque in
Hudson Bend, the Islamic Center of Lake Travis has welcomed its
first full-time imam and is hosting its second Ramadan observance;
and
WHEREAS, A fire destroyed the first mosque on the site in
Hudson Bend in 2017, when it was still under construction; members
of all faiths came together in solidarity to support the Islamic
Center, and it began the rebuilding process; the new two-story
structure opened in May 2018 for its first Ramadan services; and
WHEREAS, The center serves as a social hub for the Muslim
community in the Lake Travis area, with upstairs and downstairs
prayer rooms, a nursery, space for children's religious
instruction, and an outdoor deck for celebrations; it has also
hosted a lecture series, food donations, and events of the
Interfaith Ambassadors of Lake Travis, a community group that it
helped form in the wake of the fire; and
WHEREAS, Mufti Mohamed-Umer Esmail began serving as imam of
the mosque in April 2019; born in Canada, he first earned teaching
certifications at the Institute for Islamic Studies in Dewsbury in
the United Kingdom and went on to secure further credentials
through studies with world-renowned scholars in Karachi, Pakistan;
he has served as the imam of the North Austin Muslim Community
Center, as spiritual advisor for the Austin Chapter of the Muslim
Youth of North America, and as imam of the Nueces Mosque serving The
University of Texas community; and
WHEREAS, The Islamic Center of Lake Travis provides
fellowship, guidance, and inspiration to all who gather there, and
it is indeed fitting to honor this notable house of worship as it
marks these significant milestones; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
Legislature hereby honor the Islamic Center of Lake Travis on the
occasion of the first anniversary of its rebuilding and its second
Ramadan observance and extend sincere best wishes to Mufti
Mohamed-Umer Esmail as he begins his tenure as imam; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the center as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Goodwin
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1293 was adopted by the House on May
2, 2019, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House