In this piece by Houston Chronicle web producer Samira Rizvi, the interests, activities and worshipers of Houston’s Islamic Education Center are discussed. The article paints a picture of the organization and the Muslims that are part of it from the perspective of one of its own members. The question of whether Muslims should apologize for Major Hasan’s actions is also addressed.
The Islamic Education Center is an asset that has been seized by federal authorities as part of an investigation of its owners—Iran’s Alavi Foundation—for alleged financial ties to the Iranian government.
The Houston mosque was one of four properties seized in an investigation of Alavi.
Neither the mosques nor any members are being accused of criminal activity, and authorities state they are allowing religious life to continue as usual in the mosques.
