Tag Archives: black muslim women

Happy Birthday Malcolm X: A Black Muslim Artist Reflects

On this 98th anniversary of Malcolm X’s birthday I’d like to share with you this speech by Dr. Angela Davis about Malcolm X as an international figure, as well as a my personal reflections on his life and legacy. Malcolm X has always spoken for me. I grew up attending the Brooklyn mosque Malcolm XContinue reading “Happy Birthday Malcolm X: A Black Muslim Artist Reflects”

Art Can Hold This

I grew up in a predominately Black American mosque community in Brooklyn, NY – which I later learned was really more specifically a predominately Black Caribbean American mosque community in Brooklyn (it’s been that way since the 1960’s) and I was raised by parents who encouraged me to do whatever I wanted so long asContinue reading “Art Can Hold This”

Fitra painting series launch, my Queens Museum studio, and finding the Aida Opera – a Cairo original in the Archives

Last week was the launch of the Fitra: Amber watercolor series on Artfare’s website. The Instagram takeover went brilliantly and I’m so grateful for the love and support I was shown throughout it. I went live to share more about the series with my community and you can still watch the videos on my FacebookContinue reading “Fitra painting series launch, my Queens Museum studio, and finding the Aida Opera – a Cairo original in the Archives”

The Timbuktu African Manuscripts, Omar Ibn Said and Ibrahim Sori: An Islamic, Black Muslim and Black American Intellectual Continuum

I share why the Timbuktu manuscripts and the writings of African Muslims who were enslaved in America – like Omar Said and Ibrahim Sori are important to my artistic practice, and why they are an important opportunity for all of us to learn more about ourselves (especially Black people and Muslims) from those who came before us.  

Hajj Inspired Art Pt4: Abandonment

“Hajj is the combination of Tawaf and Sa’y. It resolves the contradictions that have confused mankind throughout history” -Ali Shariati  When we celebrate and think about the Eid, and why we are celebrating, and the Hajj and what it is, I’m always going to bring up Hajjar, inshaAllah. Alot of people avoid talking about her story because itContinue reading “Hajj Inspired Art Pt4: Abandonment”

Hajj Inspired Art Pt2: She Ran!

We Run because Hajjar Ran. Even though you and I are not physically on hajj right now, we can still connect to the spirit of the the hajj. Indeed, the hajj is both a physical and a spiritual experience.  My Tawaf/ Sa’y series is inspired by the pilgrimage footsteps of exemplars – Malcolm X, Ali Shariati, and of courseContinue reading “Hajj Inspired Art Pt2: She Ran!”

Hajj Inspired Art Pt1: Hajjar’s True Independence

“Hajj is the combination of Tawaf and Sa’y. It resolves the contradictions that have confused mankind throughout history” -Ali Shariati If you are reading this blog, you probably are not on hajj right now. You might be getting ready to see the 4th of July “Independence Day” fireworks (like I am) and feeling disconnected from the hajjContinue reading “Hajj Inspired Art Pt1: Hajjar’s True Independence”