Tuesday, January 18, 2005

 

The Breath Of Life...

Asalamalaikum all,

Salutations & Greetings of Peace from my heart and soul,

Wishing everyone Peace during this graceful month of Hajj.

Please do read the BBC website article : )

& check out the images - but no right-clickies and copies ok!!!



Yes,

I was asked a while ago how Hajj led to the founding of Tranquilart...

and it is true to say that Hajj was the Breath of Life, for otherwise a 'dead' way of thinking... and many people still ask me what my inspirations are, where my strengths come from, how everything came about and why Tranquilart? ...just questions...

... and the response lies buried within the days in the tents of Mina, the Plains of Arafaat and the night-sky of Muzdalifah.

For one thing that often amazes those who I speak to is why I maintain Tranquilart to be a 'personal' project... and when people realise the link with Hajj - they assume it didnt exist before this - and it did! Though it seems confusing - the Tranquilart philosophy was around many years prior to the Hajj as mentioned afore.


*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_


For myself - I have met more Hajjees (a person who has performed the Hajj) after Hajj than before going.

And it wont be a lie to say that the project has continued to gain strength, momentum and energy whenever life has introduced me to these people.

Almost, as if the Link with Hajj has continued.

As if to say that the Peace I had felt and sense of knowledge I had gained about myself continues to be part of me; telling me that its true; not a false mirage, hope or insight. But that it was reality; the Grace of the Creator towards a helpless nomad.


Peace & Prayers

Wasalam, duas



words continue here

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

 

Essence Of Harmony & Spirituality

Asalamalaikum -

Greetings of peace and salutations of love from the depths of my tranquil heart ;)

It was something that was on my mind for a while and now I have decided to concrete the abstract.

Tranquilart has decided to join partnership with Ulfah Arts.

Ok so what exactly does this mean?

Well, in essence - not much of a difference to those who visit the site or who are looking forward to the 2005 Catalogue. Since it merely shows affiliation to another group; its thoughts, philosophy and work.

So then whats the big deal?

The big deal lies in the messages Ulfah Arts is carrying.

Though the website is still under construction, from Ulfah Arts' promotional material the following can be found:

"Ulfah is the Arabic word for Harmony and is one of the Islamic qualities which forms the basis of Ulfahs' work. Ulfah focuses on what we have in common and harmony includes everyone no matter what faith or culture. Ulfah Arts has identified a need for female only events for all women to enjoy, whether because they have strong cultural beliefs or simply wish to widen their social network. Ulfah acheives this by using existing provision as well as developing new opportunities for women to showcase thier talents."

Ulfah Arts has two types of events:

Harmony Events: eg exhibitions, nature walks, restaurants etc

Spiritual Events: eg nasheeds, divine poetry, drama etc


But what makes Ulfah Arts so appealing to Tranquilart?

The fact that these events take into consideration specific cultural views including:
> No Alcohol
> Prayer times & Facilities
> No males in designated ares - making it a female-only event

Thus the flag that Ulfah Arts is carrying high is to develop female talent and audience.

And it is here, I feel that the Daughter of Adam must say that although I am a human, I am an artist, I am a teacher, I am an organiser - I am still the Daughter of Adam and not the son.

Those who have followed the Tranquilart world, will know that I there was sound reasoning on why BINT (Daughter) had been used in my name. And the reason was to show the High status that God Almighty has given women by naming a whole chapter in the Quran as 'The Women'.

Initiatives such as Ulfah Arts are extremely important in our society and have tapped into the gap that has long-existed in female provision. In essence, as a woman, I think such initiatives will serve to unite women at a level which will help break down barriers and unite women as women.

I am not a feminist except for that I believe God Almighty has created the genders in equity. However, it is not uncommon for women to often feel like a lamb in the midst of wolves in modern society. Furthermore, such efforts bring into focus the need most women feel for doing events and activities in an environment which is void of men.

One of the most damaging things in our modern society has been the breakdown of sisterhood.

And I feel initiatives such as Ulfah Arts will intend to bring upon the surface some of what we have lost in the crowd of modern living somewhere.

Good Night & God Bless

Peace & Prayers

Wasalam, Duas


words continue here

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?