Tuesday, December 15, saw the launch of the MICA Gallery's national art competition titled My Place on the Isle: Exploring Islam, Faith & Identity in Britain. The gallery is one in a long line of initiatives by Reedah Nijabat El-Saie, whose other achievements include the launch of ArRum, the UK's first Islamic space for art and culture in 2001.
The event was hosted by Kristiane Backer, whom some of you may remember as a German MTV presenter until she accepted Islam. Her journey is recorded in a text titled From MTV to Mecca — How Islam Changed My Life, the English translation of which is currently in process.
Introductions and speeches were provided from the likes of Shahid Malik, who stressed the importance of engaging communities and of focusing less on what makes us different and more on what we share in common.
Malik also made a very interesting observation: After the recent London bombings by terrorists claiming to follow the teachings of Islam, there was, relatively, little backlash against the Muslim community in London. Part of this is down to the nature and structure of London, which is built on diverse communities where people generally have a much more responsible and educated approach.
He continued to point out that when bombings took place in India, there was a tremendous backlash against Muslim communities, with at least 3,000 killed in retribution. Worse, and hypothetically, had a similar episode taken place in Pakistan by a group of terrorist Christians, the retribution the 1-percent Christian minority in the country would have faced would have been equally awful.
Those of us from the Indian Subcontinent must be honest in acknowledging the degree of racism that takes place. There is something about the UK, the people, the culture, and the community structures that allows anyone from anywhere to find a sense of comfort.
Similarly, Roxane Zand (also a Muslim) from the world famous auction house Sotheby's pointed out that throughout the ages, the medium of art has been regionally as well as locally used to help express feelings, emotions, and thoughts. Sometimes these thoughts are clear and transparent; at other times they lead individuals to think deeper in trying to understand the message portrayed.
And so, the medium of art is fundamental in bridging cultural gaps. And so, this initiative by El-Saie has been a long time coming. The opportunity for Muslims in the UK is to pool together their creative minds by contributing to an art competition in which the British Muslim identity can be quantified. Will there really be just one true winner? My suspicion is "no." Why? With such a diverse Muslim community within the UK, aside from art and expression being individual to cultures, they are also individual to people. There is not just one, single British Muslim identity, but tens, if not hundreds or thousands.
The competition will lead to an exhibition that MICA Gallery hopes to hold at the Saatchi Gallery (to be confirmed). It is anticipated that the winners will also participate in the Cultural Olympiad due to accompany the 2012 Olympic Games. So, if you are a budding artist — be it in painting, photography, print, sculpture, or digital media — do submit an entry.
The closing date for application is August 30. This opportunity will allow you to express your identity through a medium other than words, not to mention the great way it offers for you to start (or promote) your artistic career.
Farrukh I. Younus holds a master’s degree in international business management and works in the emerging telecom industry. He resides in Surrey, UK. His interests include travel, nouvelle cuisine, and chocolate.
The event was hosted by Kristiane Backer, whom some of you may remember as a German MTV presenter until she accepted Islam. Her journey is recorded in a text titled From MTV to Mecca — How Islam Changed My Life, the English translation of which is currently in process.
Introductions and speeches were provided from the likes of Shahid Malik, who stressed the importance of engaging communities and of focusing less on what makes us different and more on what we share in common.
Malik also made a very interesting observation: After the recent London bombings by terrorists claiming to follow the teachings of Islam, there was, relatively, little backlash against the Muslim community in London. Part of this is down to the nature and structure of London, which is built on diverse communities where people generally have a much more responsible and educated approach.
He continued to point out that when bombings took place in India, there was a tremendous backlash against Muslim communities, with at least 3,000 killed in retribution. Worse, and hypothetically, had a similar episode taken place in Pakistan by a group of terrorist Christians, the retribution the 1-percent Christian minority in the country would have faced would have been equally awful.
Those of us from the Indian Subcontinent must be honest in acknowledging the degree of racism that takes place. There is something about the UK, the people, the culture, and the community structures that allows anyone from anywhere to find a sense of comfort.
Similarly, Roxane Zand (also a Muslim) from the world famous auction house Sotheby's pointed out that throughout the ages, the medium of art has been regionally as well as locally used to help express feelings, emotions, and thoughts. Sometimes these thoughts are clear and transparent; at other times they lead individuals to think deeper in trying to understand the message portrayed.
And so, the medium of art is fundamental in bridging cultural gaps. And so, this initiative by El-Saie has been a long time coming. The opportunity for Muslims in the UK is to pool together their creative minds by contributing to an art competition in which the British Muslim identity can be quantified. Will there really be just one true winner? My suspicion is "no." Why? With such a diverse Muslim community within the UK, aside from art and expression being individual to cultures, they are also individual to people. There is not just one, single British Muslim identity, but tens, if not hundreds or thousands.
The competition will lead to an exhibition that MICA Gallery hopes to hold at the Saatchi Gallery (to be confirmed). It is anticipated that the winners will also participate in the Cultural Olympiad due to accompany the 2012 Olympic Games. So, if you are a budding artist — be it in painting, photography, print, sculpture, or digital media — do submit an entry.
The closing date for application is August 30. This opportunity will allow you to express your identity through a medium other than words, not to mention the great way it offers for you to start (or promote) your artistic career.
Farrukh I. Younus holds a master’s degree in international business management and works in the emerging telecom industry. He resides in Surrey, UK. His interests include travel, nouvelle cuisine, and chocolate.
