“Sunlight looks slightly different on this wall than it does on that wall, and a lot different on this other one but it is still one light.”
-Rumi
Nsenga Knight 2012, The Meeting Place, 7 30 x 20 inch Ink Drawings on Acetate and Latex Painted on Wall
Today is the the day of Arafat, which is the day most associated with atonement on the hajj. People sit on the mount Arafat reflecting, reciting Quran, and asking Allah for forgiveness. Forgiveness is not just for the bad things we know we did, neglected, or intended but it is also for ascension. Once the darkness has been removed from our hearts then comes the cleaning, and after that the polishing and beautification.
One of the most beautiful analogies I heard from a teacher of mine regarding Allah’s forgiveness is that for the sincere repentant person – it is as if you had on a black shirt and then asked Allah’s forgiveness and and that same shirt turned white.
The Meeting Place (pictured above) is inspired by the pilgrims who ascend in spiritual stations as they sit on Mount Arafat speaking their most heartfelt desires and seeking Allah’s forgiveness. May we each find our own Mount Arafat and ascend through sincere repentance. View my collection of Hajj inspired artwork here.
Nsenga Knight 2013, Grounded, Charcoal Wall Drawing, Site specific/ Created to Scale
Nsenga Knight (2013-2022) Tawaf/ Sa’y series, Oil Stick and Gesso on Vegetable Parchment Paper, 22.5 x 22.5 inches
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