Never Again

I – a Black Caribbean American Muslim woman from East Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York, attended public school where the vast majority of my teachers were Jewish, although most of my school’s student bodies was about 99.99% Black. In school, they taught us more about their suffering via the holocaust than our own Black American or African history. And itContinue reading “Never Again”

Bilalian Night at the Museum

Thank you to everyone who braved the rain and joined me at the Queens Museum for Muhammad School of Language and Martial Arts: Bilalian Night at the Museum. We had a full house on Saturday and the event was a success, Alhamdullilah! Having as many people as I can participate in public events like this one isContinue reading “Bilalian Night at the Museum”

Traveling To Guyana With My Mother

It’s been a while since I wrote a post on this blog. I hope you missed reading it as much as I have missed posting on here. I’m always happy to stay connected with you and I pray we continue to add value to one other and our communities. Last week was so hectic and wentContinue reading “Traveling To Guyana With My Mother”

GUYANA HERE I COME!

The USA has been experiencing record-breaking heat but, and his might sound strange, because I lived in Egypt for six years, as a result I developed a high tolerance for heat and if it’s not above 95 degrees I don’t really feel it. It wasn’t always this way for me, but it’s amazing how our bodies can adapt toContinue reading “GUYANA HERE I COME!”

RITUALS AND COMMUNITY: CONNECTING AND MAKING SPACE FOR EACH OTHER

“Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practiced by people of all colors and races here in this ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad and all the other Prophets of the Holy Scriptures. For the past week, I have been utterly speechless and spellbound byContinue reading “RITUALS AND COMMUNITY: CONNECTING AND MAKING SPACE FOR EACH OTHER”

Eid UlAdha, Hajjar, Zam Zam, and The Importance of Ritual in Islam and in My Practice

  The Eid Ul Adha celebration is one of several hajj rituals. Around this time last year, I published a series of reflections on the hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca) and the way this ritual has influenced and inspired my Tawaf/ Sa’y series and many more of my artworks.  My Tawaf/ Sa’y series for example, is inspired byContinue reading “Eid UlAdha, Hajjar, Zam Zam, and The Importance of Ritual in Islam and in My Practice”

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 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”

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.