HR 171

89S21386 JRI-F
		By: Lalani
  H.R. No. 171
  R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, The members of the Ismaili Muslim community in House
  District 76 and throughout Texas are deserving of special
  recognition for their leadership in organizing the 2025 Global
  Encounters Festival; and
         WHEREAS, Although the event is international in scope, the
  important role played by Ismaili Muslims from Texas in this
  prestigious event brings great pride to their fellow residents of
  the Lone Star State and serves to heighten the prominence of Texas
  on the world stage; and
         WHEREAS, The Global Encounters Festival took place in Dubai,
  United Arab Emirates, from July 20 through 27, 2025; and
         WHEREAS, Organized by the Ismaili Muslim community with the
  collaboration of several UAE organizations, the festival is
  dedicated to promoting tolerance and coexistence while showcasing
  the power of the arts and sports to build bridges between cultures;
  the event marked the first time that the Jubilee Arts and Jubilee
  Games have been staged at the same time, and it brought together
  4,000 artists and athletes from more than 50 countries and drew an
  audience of over 25,000 visitors; and
         WHEREAS, The festival featured more than 250 works of art
  from artists across the globe through the International Art
  Gallery, film screenings showcasing international filmmakers and
  their stories at the International Film Festival, and numerous
  music and theater performances at the International Performing Arts
  Shows; in addition, the event included interactive exhibitions, a
  cultural marketplace, multimedia development initiatives,
  interactive workshops, guided tours of the Ismaili Centre Dubai,
  and a pop-up exhibit curated by the Aga Khan Museum showcasing
  centuries of Muslim artistic innovation; and
         WHEREAS, Emphasizing fair play, teamwork, and intercultural
  unity, the Jubilee Games showcased 17 sports, including football,
  cricket, basketball, squash, chess, and swimming, at venues such as
  the ICC Academy, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, and Emirates
  Golf Club; over the course of the games, a total of 508 gold,
  silver, and bronze medals were awarded to athletes across the 21
  competing national teams; and
         WHEREAS, The festival is committed to sustainability efforts
  such as zero-waste targets and low-emission transport; the event
  partnered only with vendors that met specific sustainability
  criteria, and sourced all energy used at its venues from 100 percent
  renewable sources, supported by the procurement of renewable energy
  certificates; the festival also promoted the Roots for Change
  campaign, which aims to plant one million trees worldwide in
  support of the Aga Khan Development Network's 2030 pledge; in
  addition, the fashion show Climate on the Catwalk exhibited
  sustainable clothing; and
         WHEREAS, Global Encounters as an institution operates across
  three domains; the first domain of Youth Leadership and Development
  includes its Global Encounters camps and international internships
  with AKDN institutions; the second domain of Arts, Culture, and
  Heritage promotes the arts as a means of celebrating and engaging
  with history and culture; and the third domain of Sports and Fitness
  emphasizes the importance of physical fitness and the spirit of
  competition and teamwork; altogether, the Global Encounters
  Festival highlighted all three of the organization's major tenets;
  and
         WHEREAS, The Global Encounters Festival was hosted by and
  supported through the efforts of over 3,000 volunteers on site, and
  countless more across the world, demonstrating the virtue of khidma
  (service) and the spirit of volunteerism; and
         WHEREAS, The Global Encounters Festival brings together
  individuals of all ages for a joyous celebration of empowerment,
  tolerance, and environmental stewardship, and it is a pleasure to
  join in honoring this spirited event; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
  Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby commemorate the 2025 Global
  Encounters Festival and commend the members of the Ismaili Muslim
  community in House District 76 and throughout Texas for their
  leadership in organizing the event.