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.
Tag Archives: Black Muslims
Omar Said: Artwork Inspired by writings of African Muslims Enslaved in Antebellum America
I don’t know about you, but when I was growing up all of my school teachers told us that Africans couldn’t read or write! They weren’t just talking about slaves either. These teachers, both Black and White said that Africans had an oral tradition so writing was just not their thing. Well, that’s a lie!
A Deeper Connection to Cairo
When I first moved to Cairo, I admittedly felt a little lost. I didn’t understand the language, I felt like I looked so different from most the people who I passed by from day to day, and I had a hard time wrapping my mind around how I might continue to grow as an artistContinue reading “A Deeper Connection to Cairo”
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”
Nsenga Knight Open Studios Day 1 | Fitra: Amber
Starting from inspiration, I’m creating my new Fitra series which is inspired by The Book of Sufi Healing. Here’s a recap of Day 1 of my virtual Open Studios.
Sayyida Nafisa’s Khalwa: A Conversation on Muslim Women and Sacred Spaces
A conversation between Nsenga Knight and her sister Nuriddeen Knight about their visit to the khalwa (place of voluntary seclusion) of 9th century female Islamic scholar Sayida Nafisa in Cairo, Egypt.
