“So many layers, of being a woman, a Muslim, being brown, how many different lenses are they looking at my work through. Can’t they just see my work for what it is and look at me for who I am" - Shaheen Kasmani

​In this episode join artists Shaheen Kasmani and Nasreen Shaikh Jamal Al-Lail discussing what it is like to be a Muslim female artist in 2017, as well as the positive and negatives of the current art scene and how we can move forward together and build a sense of unity and sisterhood. The conversation touches upon reclaiming the narrative of Muslim women, from those who have hijacked or imposed their own upon it, by telling their own stories with their artwork.

'Religion is a source of oppression', this is often repeated and emphasised in contemporary times. To see religion as s source of liberation is not only seen as odd, but also polemical. This is more so when Muslim women take religion to be at the core of their freedom, empowerment and creativity. Why is it that some people find it difficult to envisage Islam as a religion of justice and equality? Why do Muslim women feel guilty speaking through the lens of their religion? At the centre of this issue is the perceived lack of representation of women, present and historical. However, this is far from reality and it is the result of misconception and poor reading of Islamic history.

Islam, from its inception, was a result of a union based on companionship, love, justice and a mutually shared vision. This was embodied in Sayyidah Khadijah the wife of Prophet Mohammed, who was his main supporter and champion.  A brief look at the core features of this relationship could awaken many to the true image of the role of the women in Islam. Indeed, the contributions of Sayyidah Khadijah was one of the very reasons Islam flourishes today as a worldwide religion. 

Sayyidah Khadijah was an independent, rich, well-respected merchant who had been previously married. She also had children from her previous marriages. As a noblewoman, she enjoyed privileges in 7th century Arabia not afforded to many women and men alike, which gave her a cosmopolitan access to Yemen and Syria through her trading caravan. 

Sayyidah Khadijah held a financial position that was much higher than that of her husband, the Prophet Mohammed, she had more experience in the world and was much older than him - Sayyidah Khadijah married the Prophet at the age of 40 when he was 25. Recognising in him the features of trustworthiness and truthfulness she employed him under her trading venture. It will come as a surprise to many, but it was Sayyidah Khadijah who chose to marry and proposed to the Prophet. In doing so, she assisted him financially and helped with his cause. Sayyidah Khadijah was also a great source of counsel and comfort to the Prophet. He turned  to her before anyone else when the revelation came to him. That is, he sought her out first for guidance, help and confirmation. 

Islam, at this early critical stage, was therefore defended and financed through with the fundamental help and support of a woman. Her vision, her choice and her endeavour together with a man she loved, respected and chose as a partner. She died defending her choice and suffered hardship for it.

The presence of Sayyidah Khadijah in the early days of Islam was pivotal and the Prophet never forgot his debt to her. We, as women, and not just Muslim women, should feel proud to have such a figure at the very core of a religion, which gave women the freedoms they never had, a movement which has social justice at its core. 

But the lessons from the life of Sayyidah Khadijah should not just be a source of pride; we should use her example as a source of deep inspiration to become active and not be passive spectators as the world around us changes. We should also use the example of Sayyidah Kayyidah to step beyond the facile debates about Muslim women. The time has come for us to leave aside the trite arguments: Men Vs Women, Matriarchy Vs Patriarchy and Feminism Vs Status quo. Whilst these debates continue, issues relating to problems women will not be heard and addressed and solutions will not be found. 

We can do this by highlighting how Islam is a source of empowerment of women, by using  Sayyidah Khadijah as an example of mutual complementarity of genders, a vision of true human harmony when two strong and independent figures come together. This is what we need to highlight to all those who humiliate, disdain and point at Muslim women and women in general. 

We are fighting here on two fronts: misinformed men and pseudo-ideologically driven women. The need to be vocal, driven and proud is paramount. To allow ourselves to be on the defensive, to see ourselves as inept or in need will be our failing. Let us stand up and take Sayyidah Khadijah by the hand in order to show the world exactly what a woman - what a Muslim woman - can achieve. For not only did she change history, she is the very reason Muslim women have the honour to speak of our choices within this religion with passion and pride.

"Don’t do anything you don’t believe in, do something you believe in and make it your superpower" - Romina Khanom

In this Podcast artist Romina Khanom shares some of her ideas behind her work and how Islam and culture influence her. She mentions how she uses grand patterns and geometry in Islamic art, to nature of God. The depiction of patterns through patterns, looping through one another embodies the spirituality, which lies at the heart of her work. The foundation of her art work is to celebrate Islam and the cultures her art exists somewhere on the edge between the contemporary and the traditional, between the flat and the three-dimensional. 

Exhibition information
Radical Love
Exhibition open from 14th Feb until 5th March.
The Crypt Gallery 
King's Cross

For more information -  https://www.facebook.com/events/762288197256118/

What unites us is greater than Trump and racist rhetoric! As the storm slowly erupts over America, and grey clouds gather over Europe and the rest of the world, a well-known phrase comes to mind: what unites us is greater than what divides us. 

Following the Women’s March the day after the inauguration, Americans have once again mobilised to protest against Donald Trump’s ugly and divisive ban on Muslims from 7 countries: Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Libya and Syria.

What has struck me the most scrolling through the news and social media is the huge number of people who have turned out at the airports to protest against the ban, against racism and divisiveness and to support the refugees and immigrants trying to enter the country. 

Some of my favourite images from the protests: 

Unveiling the Art of Muslim Female Artists

Variant Space is a ground breaking collective of Muslim female artists who been brought together by their love of the arts. For the first time ever, Muslim female artists from around the globe have come together to narrate their stories and journeys through their art. We want to unveil the art of Muslim females in a world in which it is largely undiscovered and unexposed. We also hope that Variant Space can inspire other young Muslim females to pursue and develop their creative and artistic talents. 

Our philosophy is embedded in our very name. It is influenced by the notion that there are differences in things which appear to hold similar forms. Variant Space is one tapestry, woven together by different threads, with each thread representing the individual artist as a unique and open-mined woman. 

With their art, our artists shatter stereotypes of the Muslim woman, which have become entrenched throughout history. Variant Space provides a new and refreshing arena for the discourse on the Muslim woman, as well as a platform from which female Muslims can speak about their experiences through their art and reclaim control over their image. 

Variant Space provides support and exposure to Muslim female artists by showcasing their work.  Exhibitions, videos, a bi-annual magazine, our and open conversations are just a few methods we use to share the work of the artists. 
You may have heard of Variant Space before and attended our exhibition ‘Cultural Bonds’ . If you are familiar with our work, you’ll see that we’ve undergone refurbishment and we’re back more creative and colourful than ever before, with a great deal planned for the future. We hope you’ll continue to be a part of our journey.  

​We would love to hear from you with your thoughts, so join the conversation and get involved.

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