William Sutherland's photos with the keyword: Islam

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY Folio from the “Blue Qur’an” Sura 30 (al-Rum): 28-32 Tunisia, Qairawan, North Africa, Fatimid period (909-1171 CE), dated mid 9th-mid 10th century CE Additional Images: Mihrab Tile Iran, Ilkhanid period (1206-1353 CE), dated 1322-23 CE Inscription: “ In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate; and keep up prayer in the two parts of the day and in the first hours of the nigh; surely good deeds take away evil deeds; this is a reminder to the merciful. ” [Sura 11 (Hud): 114] Display featuring Folio from a Qur’an (center) Sura 39 (al-Zumar): 1-5 Spain, Nasrid period (1232-1492), dated late 13th-early 14th century Second Volume of a Qur’an Iraq or eastern Mediterranean, Abbasid period (750-1258 CE), dated 9th Century CE Bifolium from a Qur’an Sura 72 (al-Jinn): 6-22 Central Islamic lands or North Africa, late 9th-10th Century CE and Red Folios from a Qur’an Manuscript Central Islamic lands, circa 9th Century CE, Ink on Parchment

Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church, Rye Brook, NY When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit ... [Acts 2:1-4] And as [Jesus] was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him... like a dove... [Luke 3:21-22] Descent of the Holy Spirit : The Holy Spirit descends upon Mary and the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday. [Third Glorious Mystery of the Rosary] To Jesus, son of Mary, We... supported him with the [H] oly [S] pirit (Ruh al-Qudus) . [Qu'ran: Al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2:253] …the Spirit of God (Ruach Elohim) was hovering over the face of the water [a] nd God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. [Torah: Bereshit (Genesis) 1:2-3]

Digital Art created from three photos: Crescent Moon, Irvington, NY (3 August 2008), Minaret, Queens, NY (8 August 2014) and Tulip, Mamaroneck, NY (12 April 2021). The Minaret, the tallest point of a Mosque serves as the place where a muezzin makes the call for prayer based on the command from the Prophet Mohammad – “Rise, O Bilal, and summon to prayer!” The shape, form, and color of a minaret also serve as strong symbols in Islam. The “cuboid” structure represents stability and equality based on the Qu’ranic verses (Apartments 49:13) – “O mankind! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you nations and tribes that you may identify yourselves with one another,” (The Byzantines 30:22) “Among His signs is the creations of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colors…” and (The Family of Imran 3:195) – “I will not lose sight of the labor of any of you who labors in My way, be it man or woman; each of you is equal to the other.” The geometric form of the minaret also represents Islamic belief that God created order (e.g. the laws of physics that govern the universes in which “the sun, the moon, the stars… follow an unalterable law and do not deviate even slightly from their ordained course” and “matter, energy and life… obey laws by which they must grow or change, live or die”) and everything in His creation has a significant place in His “grand scheme.” The roof or dome points towards the sky symbolizing the “gate from heaven and earth” that marks the transition from temporary to eternity” to remind people based on the Qu’ranic verse (The Forgiver 40:39) – “…the life of this world is nothing but a passing enjoyment and indeed, the Hereafter is the abiding home.” It is because of this Islam declares, “When we are reduced to bones and ashes, will we… be raised as a new creation? ‘Yes, even if you become stones, or iron, or whatever you think is harder to bring to life…’ Who will bring us back to life? ‘The One Who created you the first time.’” [Qu’ran: The Night Journey 17:49-51] The white color of the minaret symbolizes “God’s Pure Light,” the “source of existence” and eternity that derives from God’s great love based on the fact that in Islam, God is known as al-Wadud or "He who loves." "Religion is love and love is religion" -- Islam: Imam al-Baqir (676-733 CE) “The Eternal… made all things in [l]ove. On [l]ove they all depend.” [Islam: Farid ud Din Attar, 12th Century CE Sufi poet] Because of this, a key principle of Islam is peace (also symbolized by the white color of the minaret) based on the Prophet Mohammad’s noble and compassionate example when his troops conquered Mecca on 11 December 629. Despite the ill-treatment he had received and attempts on his life, he gave that city’s residents that chance to determine their own fate – “O Quraysh, what do you think of the treatment… I should accord you?” And they said, “Mercy, O Prophet of God. We expect nothing but good from you.” Thereupon Mohammad declared, “…This day there is no reproof against you; go your way, for you are free.” [1] “God created a hundred portions of mercy. He placed one portion between His creation [so] they [could] have compassion on each other…” [Islam: Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim, Al-Tirmidhi, et al.] In Islam, the crescent moon serves as a powerful symbol of God’s greatness while the color “blue” (al-azraq) represents “the impenetrable depths of the universe” and the mystical nature of God, the Creator. At the same time, the color “green” represents life and paradise – “As you look, you will see… bliss and a great kingdom. Upon them will be cloaks of green silk…” [Qu’ran: Man 76:20-21] “And among His signs is that you see the earth barren, but when We send down water on it, it is stirred to life and growth. Verily, He Who gives it life… is able to give life to the dead. Indeed! He is able to do all things.” [Qu’ran: Elaborated 41:39] In addition, in Islam, the tulip not only symbolizes beauty, perfection, and paradise, it also resembles a dome and represents the Muslim written name for God – “Allah.” Last the Arabic cursive to the left declares “Salam!” or “Peace!” since it is the primary attribute of Islam – “Allah guides all who seek to please Him to the ways of peace…” [Qu’ran: The Table 5:16]. It is also fitting since on this evening of 12 April 2021, Muslims around the world Muslims enter into Ramadan , a holy month of prayer and fasting. Wishing every Muslim the best for a peaceful and spiritually uplifting holy month. ________ [1] Conquest of Mecca. Wikipedia. 5 April 2021. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conquest_of_Mecca#:~:text=The%20conquest%20of%20Mecca%20(Arabic,Muhammad%20and%20the%20Quraysh%20tribe . Additional Source: Wan Athirah binti Wan Ahmad Kamal. The Significance of the Minaret as the Symbol of the Official Religion. University Teknologi MARA (UiTM). 8 April 2021. www.academia.edu/8661994/The_Significance_of_the_Minaret_as_the_Symbol_of_the_Official_Religion

Created utilizing free clipart, public domain clipart and the mosque outline image purchased from Shutterstock. The ribbon heart symbolizing love between peoples of different faiths -- all children of the same, one God as well as God's eternal love for all of us, regardless of our faith, was added since it resembles Arabic calligraphy with its distinct, rich, cursive form. The Arabic statement directly under the mosque's outline reads: "We are one with God!" A cross and Star of David were imposed on the mosque's minaret to symbolize religious unity which I am a strong believer in and hope one day will be achieved. I also avoided the use of color so as not to distract from the distinct message and used simplicity since simplicity can often be equated with beauty. Last but not least, I condemn this barbaric unspeakable act of evil in the strongest of terms and pray for the innocent victims and their families.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year filled with Happiness, Prosperity, Good Health, Happiness and Peace. Created using free online clipart and images purchased from Shutterstock to incorporate elements of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Taoism for the promotion of religious tolerance. I also included the universal symbol of peace in one of the snowflakes since when religion truly serves God there can be nothing but world peace and a heart since God is Love [1 John 4:8] and the Word was made incarnate during the nativity as an expression of His boundless unconditional love for each and every work of His creation.

Mamaroneck, NY Notes: The title is not meant to be offensive but to point out this photographic work of art was created out of garbage consistent with Garbage Crucifixion that can be found at: www.ipernity.com/doc/285927/35523765/in/album/711719 The Crescent and star represent the universal symbol of Islam. The Camel on the cigarette box, a form of figurative art that is popular in Islamic culture and acceptable based on the Qu’ran and Hadith represents Islam’s Middle Eastern roots in Mecca and Medina. The white roses represent purity in spite of attempts by ISIS and other “Islamic” extremists to defile this great Faith with the blood of slain innocents. The red heart represents God’s unconditional enduring love and the Arabic writing in the bottom right hand corner means peace since when Islam is followed as the Prophet Mohammed had envisioned, it is a peaceful, loving and tolerant religion that does not compel anyone to act against their conscience. Last, I included a smiling face in the lower left corner since smiles were important to the Prophet Mohammed and provide a glimmer of light in this dark period of history. Finally, even though the same medieval-minded barbarians that seek to snuff out free will, creativity and human life may object, this photographic composition represents true alignment with Islam’s virtues vs. their antithetical dogma of evil. Therefore, it represents a positive contribution to religious and secular tolerance and serves as a tribute to Islam and Islamic culture.

Queens, NY