The most important thing is not to fear at all

iamnotharaam:

As a Muslim, I do not follow tradition blindly
As a Muslim, I do not conform to new age views without evaluation
As a Muslim, I am constantly self-reflecting
As a Muslim, I give charity and smile to strangers
As a Muslim, I believe in a non-human, non-gendered, unimaginable God

As a Chinese Muslim, I feel unrecognized and isolated by my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters
As a Chinese Muslim, I feel unrecognized and isolated by the American media
As a Chinese Muslim, I feel equally hated by the American media
As a Chinese Muslim, I am thankful to have seen so many different perspectives at my age
As a Chinese Muslim, I feel closer to Allah

As a Muslim artist, I do not have religious ultimatum
As a Muslim artist, I am criticized for not devoting my art to my religion completely and blatantly
As a Muslim artist, I devote myself instead to universal messages in hopes of reaching a wider audience
As a Muslim artist, I fully love and indulge in the visual world created for us by God
As a Muslim artist, I prove people wrong not by shoving my religion in their face, but showing them I am just a person like everyone else

As a Gay Muslim, I believe in love above hate.
As a Gay Muslim, I have been through constant, endless torment for simply loving someone.
As a Gay Muslim, I have become infinitely more compassionate and understanding to others.
As a Gay Muslim, I have found deeper, purer faith in Allah.
As a Gay Muslim, I vow to never let my faith put others in danger, I vow to protect others who are bombarded by blind faith.

This is me.
I am constantly torn
I am always falling
I am sheltered
I am afraid to speak
But I am insanely proud

I am Muslim, and I am not Haraam.

theothergayscott:

The re-imagining of the crucifixion in light of the sufferings of the Jewish people.

Marc Chagall’s White Crucifixion

I do love me some Chagall. 

positive-press-daily:

Jewish, Muslim scribes keep calligraphy art alive

In a world overwhelmed by electronic gadgets that have changed the way we read, write and learn, the Jewish and Islamic arts of calligraphy have preserved their methods for generations.

Parchment, feathers and “qalams,” a pen made of dried bamboo, are still used by sophers — Jewish scribes — and khattats — Muslim calligraphers. Calligraphy is one of the main art forms in Judaism and Islam, reflecting how central the word is to both religions.

The Quran has played a major role in the spread of the Arabic language and alphabet, as have Judaism’s Torah and other holy books in the preservation of Hebrew.

Both Muslim and Jewish scribes say deep knowledge of religion infuses the graceful lines of their calligraphy and is essential to the art, which they say ensures the art’s survival into the future — something no electronic tool will be able to bring.

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