Source: Huffington Post
By Rose Deighton; PhD Student in Islamic Studies at Emory University, Writer, Contemplative
America to Zanzibar is a new exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan designed to highlight the vast diversity of Islamic cultures. Today more than ever, it is of immense importance that we begin to appreciate the complexity and great differences that exist within Muslim societies. Media coverage of Islam is almost always focused on narratives of tragedy and this has prevented many people from having informed exposure to the real diversity among Muslims. America to Zanzibar shines a light on the rich intellectual and cultural history that stands behind this world civilization.
Architect Maryam Eskandari and her team of designers from MIIM Designs began the project by asking themselves, “How do you represent 1.7 billion people in 3000 squared feet?” What they came up with is an exhibit that highlights universal Islamic principles while showcasing the immense plurality of Islamic cultural expression.
Through images, architectural structures, and creative activities, America to Zanzibar(#AtoZNYC) asserts that Muslims differ not only in the ways they interpret religious ideas but also with respect to how they express their Muslim identity in the architecture and design of cities and homes, the ambience of markets, and the aesthetics of Islamic fine art, music, and crafts.
NYC Children’s Museum Celebrates Muslim Diversity from MIIM Designs on Vimeo.
For instance, upon entering the exhibit, the visitor walks into a green courtyard orchaharbagh, a universal Islamic symbol of the heavens and the human soul in a state of harmony. At the center of the garden is a fountain, which is symbolic of several Islamic beliefs – the purifying function of water and the role of prayer in bringing peace to the human heart. Through the interactive experience of placing “drops of hope” – short wishes or prayers – into the fountain, visitors learn about the role of personal prayer in connecting the heart to the Divine.
Eskandari says they have already received the most beautiful “drops of hope,” such as, “I want my mommy to get better” and “I want my family together again.” These wishes themselves express one of the most essential Islamic beliefs – the importance of unity. For Muslims, the monotheistic assertion of God’s oneness is also the basis for a social and spiritual ethic that encourages the creation of peace and unification between people.
Categories: Islamic history, Islamic Society, Islamophobia, Muslim Heritage, The Muslim Times