St. John's The Torch
February 9, 2000
By Lakaiha Davis

Works by female Muslim artists from around the world are being exhibited in St. John's Chung-Cheng Art Gallery. The exhibit, entitled From Around the World: Muslim Women Artists, opened Saturday and will continue until March 10.

Habibeh Rahim, from the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, curated the exhibition. The 11 artists are promoting advancements Islamic women have made. Calligraphy, three dimensional and woven paintings are on display.

"It was wonderful to introduce the art of different artists to the American community," said Rohana Filippi, an artist from Italy.

Sharifah Zuriah Aljeffri, an artist from Malaysia, had eight pieces on display about Persian heritage and literature.

"I displayed my work because I wanted to show Muslim women how they can do diffrent things. I would like to change the image that many people have. We do not sit at home and do nothing. We are capable of many htings and we do them daily. I am very proud of my work," said Aljeffri, who has been painting for seven years and believes this exhibit is a step forward for Muslim women.

"Sensitivity was expressed through her work. It is colorful and can encapsulate an individual imagination. I was very fond of the flowering paintings," said Christine Locke, a freshman who was viewing the exhibit.

A reception was held Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in Council Hall. Guests and artists took off their shoes and began to pray. "We incorporate prayer into all of our activities," said Amil Bennys, an artist from Tunisia.

"I think it was a positive event because there is a need to have art exhibitions to discuss with the artists the different ideas about their work," said Riffat Alvi, an artist from Pakistan.

"It is a good opportunity to exchange ideas about the ideas of younger artists with older artists." Alvi selected her six pieces because they related to the eminence of Muslim women.

The reception provided an apportunity for students to meet artists from all over the world. The exhibit gives women a forum to display the development of Islamic women in society. It will be closed Sundays and holidays. Fridays and Saturdays it will be open noon until 4 p.m. and Mondays through Thursdays 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.