Faith & Creativity: Chicago - USA | Famous Muslim artists

Below are some examples of American Muslims who fuse their faith, Islam, with their art.  They demonstrate that art need not be vulgar or explicit to be attractive.

Artist: Saira Wasim - "Round Table"

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff | Opinion
Source & Credit:  Chicago Islam Examiner
By Qasim Rashid | Chicago, IL

Does Islam stifle creativity?  Can a Muslim participate in poetry and art?  Below are some examples of American Muslims who fuse their faith, Islam, with their art.  They demonstrate that art need not be vulgar or explicit to be attractive.  Rather, true art and beauty rests in the ability to glorify God's creation while adhering to His teachings of spirituality and morality.  At least one, and certainly several not mentioned, great example resides right here in Chicago.

Saira Wasim: Saira Wasim is an American Pakistani Muslim residing in the Chicago area. She is an internationally acclaimed miniature artist. Saira Wasim explains that her faith inspires her paintings, and helps her better express the message of her art. You can see more of her work here.

Dr. Yusef Lateef: Born in 1920, Yusef Lateef is an American Grammy Award-winning composer, performer, recording artist, author, visual artist, educator and philosopher.  He accepted Islam in 1950.

For over six decades he has been an icon on the international musical scene. His 1975 PhD dissertation was entitled, "An Overview of Western and Islamic Education." This year, 2010, the National Endowment for the Arts named Yusef Lateef an American Jazz Master.  You can read more about him at his website here.

Mahershalalhashbaz Ali: Born in 1974, Mahershalalhashbaz Ali is an American Muslim Actor.  He accepted Islam in his early 20's during his studies in New York.

An accomplished actor, Ali excels in his career while shedding a positive light on Islam. He has appeared as a lead actor in The 4400, and a supporting actor in numerous television shows and movies.  His work demonstrates that an American can be a Muslim who expresses creativity, without compromising his faith.



Read ortiginal article here:  Famous Muslim artists

Qasim Rashid is a contributing member of Majlis Sultanul Qalm, USA (MSQ USA) and regularly writes for Examiner.com and various other publications on topics ranging from Islam to human rights. Leave your thoughts and comments, or email Qasim at 1muslim.examiner@gmail.com