Thursday, December 30, 2004
Tranquilart hopes to see everyone at the EidMela on 2nd January 2005 12.30-5.30 at the Rex Centre, Coventry Road, Birmingham. The organisers intend to raise 300 Thousand pounds to help build and maintain a village in Sudan. A country where the worst human tragedy is being witnessed by people around the world. An estimated 2 million people have fled their homes and tens of thousands have been killed. Although this is only an attempt - perhaps this effort will reap within it, of the Divine Grace blanketing the world? God knows best - but every little helps. More info for this event: www.islamicevents.co.uk See you all there with smiley faces and heavy wallets :)
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Last years' auction item for Islamic Cultural Fair, December 2003.. a kind soul from Oxford paid £550 for this - which was intended for an Orphanage in Afghanistan.
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Here is the piece I have donated. Its Known as the Ayat Al-Kursi or Verse of The Throne... Powerful words recited by Muslims daily to seek refuge and protection from all sorts of harm and inconveniences which may upset the spiritual harmony we exist in. I called this piece 'Refuge'.
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Wednesday, December 29, 2004
A close-up image of the fusion of colour on glass.. so light, transparent and almost; free - like a celebrating spirit should be!
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Lead ... not all that glitters is gold.. there are other glittery things here also
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A view of the 'lead' on the glass prior to being painted.. Gold is the main coloured lead which has been used. Other colours that have been used include: silver, copper, grey, green, white, orange, bronze and a couple more I think...
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It was a hot Julys' day when I was forced to take my painting kit into the back yard under strict orders of the Sergeant in-charge of our household aromas.. Yes mummy! This was the time when I received my final ultimatum - obey or get out! That is, either quit painting in your room or do it outside.. so me took the latter option. And there was I, under the scorching heat, with a sweaty forehead; I had to quicken with the paint aswell because I had to apply the next colour immediately after the first so that I could 'fuse' the paint easily.. In total there were about 5-7 different shades of green if I remember correctly! Oh, and that lovely pink dress - summer days eh :P
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And the complete Masterpiece again... This verse is known as the 'Greatest verse in the whole Quran' ... Just looking at it is such a powerful experience. I testify to its' weight.
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Aah yes.. and another close-up of my sweety-pie. How I will miss you babe.. I pray you go into the home of some kind, loving caring people. I will miss you hun *tear
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Tuesday, December 21, 2004
A break from the discussion... and our camera lady wants to get some responses...
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Artist Discussion: Abid Baig - The Celestial Call. We are reminded of the Unseen amongst us... SubhanAllah
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Well this place looks tranquil enough... here starts the journey - thanks to our model - enjoy the rest of the shots people! :)
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Modern Living & Spirituality By Salma Ravat - Im looking at 'Left Behind' and thats 'Tower' to my right. Hey, rumour has it that some of this stuff is gonna be made available on miss tranquils' catalogue... shhhh...
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Spiritual Change by Aerosol Arabic Ali - hmmm... that blue piece is ideal for the new office.. and its written in english - so all my colleagues will be able to read it! Yippee!
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She says the 'Celebrating Spirit' can be understood by looking at the jaundiced triplets.. I mean the 3 yellow pieces. Ask me - I think they look cool - zesty man! Shes' called this piece the 'Completion of Faith' and something to do with hajj and also the 5 pillars - but where are the other 2?
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OK - so is this really the Celebrating Spirit?.. looks more like garlic! ... oops shouldn't say that to 'art' ... alright let me move onto that blue one.... erm.. very mystifying indeed - cloud 9?
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This Farouq fella seems to be a deep ocean.. I must take his card for some discussions later.. His 30 day visual journey of Ramadhan is mind-blowing!
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Hmm.. what have we here.. Is this supposed to depict some Celestial droplets onto this tacky carpet? Is this a reflection of the Heavans man seeks to reach from the earthly ladder? Much thought and discourse for philosophy indeed? Stones, mirrors, organza, petals and fragrance... hmmm..
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And to know that the brain behind the show found much of her inspiration in Granada... This door sure looks good for my frontroom.. lets take another look.. hmmm
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OK so where do I start... hmm.. I sure can use these Ulfah Arts leaflets for some inspiration I guess.. I can't believe it - Im already feeling like an artist!
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Oh Gosh! Will I find a place to put my masterpiece??.. That genie is giving me the creeps aswell...
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Aha! That looks wicked! My own mark on the show! Doesnt it look so cool beneath that butterfly? ...
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Whey - that brother Aerosol sure has changed from his early days ... and this Modern Living stuff seems quite an interesting read..
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Yes.. in here it goes! .. ooh yes i did leave my contact details on that Mailing List on the right! Ta-rah then!
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Sunday, December 19, 2004
In Sickness & In Health I said: "I Do!"
Asalamalaikum to everyone after A-ges! Greetings & Blessings of peace from the depth of my heart, liver, stomach, ribs and yes everything else 'in there' .. as well as my dear soul :)
Praying everyone is in the bestestest of health (physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual) and highest state of belief and faith - ameen :)
Regards myself - well, me has recovered (tell a lie - semi/recovered) from one of God Almightys' tests on the physical plains of my being. Yes - I had the B U G .. was down from Thursday evening till this morningish.. feel lots better better now now!
Alhamdulila Thank God Almighty for illness - for it extinguishes much.
The Prophet Alaislam is reported to have said:
The sick person's sleep is considered as worship and his moaning as litany of praise to Allah. He is rewarded as though he is performing his usual prayers when he was healthy although he is unable to do so now. His supplications are accepted, his sins are forgiven, all his mistakes and wrong-doings recorded in his book are deleted, and he is told `Very well, start your new life with an absolutely clean book!'
Islamic societies never frowned upon the ill or infirm.
The Islamic civilization gave rise to a wealth of of medical knowledge and practise, unheard of in the, then, 'barbaric' west. Whilst the world was asleep in the 'Dark Ages' Islamic societies saw the flourishing empire of physicians. Health was a blessing from God Almighty just like wealth, children or a business. And thus they spent so much energy in mastering how to look after this trust from the Creator.
However - it is ironic to find that we only consider health to be a 'test' when there is the absence of it. Or let me put it another way..
WHY is it that we consider ill health a test? and not good health?
Similarly - why are only people with financial problems considered to be undergoing tests?
why do we say only the infertile couple are being tested?
or the one who loses his business?
or the one who cant find the job s/he desires?
or the one ... ? & moi list est continuez :)
I came to this conclusion several years ago:
EV-rything is a test!
Sometimes God Almighty will test you by giving you one of His bounties. At other times He will test you by taking that bounty away from you.
I made a conscious decision to believe in God Almighty. Thus, in our contract it is not only in sickness, but also in health that I should say "I Do!" to His Decree.
Good Night, God Bless
*news from the desert - My camel herd (for those who can recall.. they went to the Sacred Saudi cities for Ramadhan) are almost home :) They were kidnapped along the way as they tried to cross the harsh desert sands.. they wanted to cross to other lands to see their relatatives before returning. But thankfully - the kidnappers' hearts melted since they explained how I was anxious to see them before they perform the hajj. So I am expecting to re-unite with them anytime this week.
My herd are hoping to perform Hajj this year and then, some will undergo the sacrifice in memory of Prophet Ibrahim Alaisalam. So ... this may be the final moment to see some of them :)
Anyhow -
Peace & Prayers
Wasalam, duas
Praying everyone is in the bestestest of health (physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual) and highest state of belief and faith - ameen :)
Regards myself - well, me has recovered (tell a lie - semi/recovered) from one of God Almightys' tests on the physical plains of my being. Yes - I had the B U G .. was down from Thursday evening till this morningish.. feel lots better better now now!
Alhamdulila Thank God Almighty for illness - for it extinguishes much.
The Prophet Alaislam is reported to have said:
The sick person's sleep is considered as worship and his moaning as litany of praise to Allah. He is rewarded as though he is performing his usual prayers when he was healthy although he is unable to do so now. His supplications are accepted, his sins are forgiven, all his mistakes and wrong-doings recorded in his book are deleted, and he is told `Very well, start your new life with an absolutely clean book!'
Islamic societies never frowned upon the ill or infirm.
The Islamic civilization gave rise to a wealth of of medical knowledge and practise, unheard of in the, then, 'barbaric' west. Whilst the world was asleep in the 'Dark Ages' Islamic societies saw the flourishing empire of physicians. Health was a blessing from God Almighty just like wealth, children or a business. And thus they spent so much energy in mastering how to look after this trust from the Creator.
However - it is ironic to find that we only consider health to be a 'test' when there is the absence of it. Or let me put it another way..
WHY is it that we consider ill health a test? and not good health?
Similarly - why are only people with financial problems considered to be undergoing tests?
why do we say only the infertile couple are being tested?
or the one who loses his business?
or the one who cant find the job s/he desires?
or the one ... ? & moi list est continuez :)
I came to this conclusion several years ago:
EV-rything is a test!
Sometimes God Almighty will test you by giving you one of His bounties. At other times He will test you by taking that bounty away from you.
I made a conscious decision to believe in God Almighty. Thus, in our contract it is not only in sickness, but also in health that I should say "I Do!" to His Decree.
Good Night, God Bless
*news from the desert - My camel herd (for those who can recall.. they went to the Sacred Saudi cities for Ramadhan) are almost home :) They were kidnapped along the way as they tried to cross the harsh desert sands.. they wanted to cross to other lands to see their relatatives before returning. But thankfully - the kidnappers' hearts melted since they explained how I was anxious to see them before they perform the hajj. So I am expecting to re-unite with them anytime this week.
My herd are hoping to perform Hajj this year and then, some will undergo the sacrifice in memory of Prophet Ibrahim Alaisalam. So ... this may be the final moment to see some of them :)
Anyhow -
Peace & Prayers
Wasalam, duas
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Saturday, December 04, 2004
Haji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang, eminent master of Arabic calligraphy. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham, UK. Saturday 4th December 2004: 1-5pm. *text has been taken from the website :)
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In a country that almost reveres the art of the beautifully written word, it is not rare to find a calligrapher that possesses the talent and creativity inherent to the practice of Chinese calligraphy, an intuitive and freely flowing art form in which the way a word is written can convey as much meaning as the word itself
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However, it is rare to find a calligrapher that marries the spontaneous, water-like quality of Chinese calligraphy to the measured cerebrality and refined restraint of Arabic calligraphy. The Chinese and Arabic calligraphic traditions have often been compared as the two of the world's finest manifestations of the written word, but never likened; indeed, they are at once opposites and complements.
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When combined, the stunning simplicity of Chinese calligraphy softens the artistic deliberateness of Arabic calligraphy, while the Arabic informs the Chinese counterpart with its increased structurality. In the end, the result is calligraphy that blends the two greatest calligraphy traditions in an artistic piece that is a work of incredibly unique beauty, and a testimony to man's synthesizing genius. Haji Noor Deen Mi Guang jiang is such a calligrapher; trained by the finest schools and teachers that either tradition has to offer in both the ancient arts of Chinese and Arabic calligraphy, he brings immense learning in traditional thought and art to a modern audience and juxtaposes them in a calligraphic style all his own, both Eastern and Western. He is perhaps our new Renaissance man; versed in the classics, spanning cultures and times, outstanding in his field, and an embodiment of the pluralism our nation represents.
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Endowed with not only intense intellect but also fantastic energy and the ability to convey his knowledge, Haji Noor Deen is one who is capable and ever willing to teach and impart his long perfected technique, as well as moral and material support; indeed, calligraphy is only secondarily a profession for him. First and foremost, calligraphy is an act of faith.
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Through this art form, he is free to render in ink an expression of conflated cosmologies, and guide a new generation of artist-scholars. By working to impart beauty under the complete guidance of faith, Haji Noor Deen leaves his mark on the world as a giver of incredible aesthetic beauty as well as the beauty of moral excellence.
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Haji Noor Deen lectures on the art of Arabic calligraphy at the Islamic College in Zhen Zhou, where he has also established a correspondence course to enable students from all areas of China to study Arabic calligraphy.
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In addition, he researches Islamic culture at the Henan Academy of Sciences. In 1997, Haji Noor Deen was the first Chinese Muslim to be awarded the Egyptian Certificate of Arabic Calligraphy and to be admitted as a member of the Association of Egyptian Calligraphy.
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Haji Noor Deen's extraordinary mastery and genius in the art of Arabic calligraphy along with his unique ability to spectacularly deliver his craft to an audience has brought him lecture and workshop invitations from some of the most renowned and prestigious institutions around the world, including: Harvard University, Cambridge University, University of California-Berkley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, Tufts University, the Bukhari Institute and the Zaytuna Institute, amongst a few.
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