St. John's Today
February 28, 2000

by Joseph Mollica

The paintings that line the walls of the Chung Cheng Art Gallery are inherently different. The styles of work are almost as diverse as the very artists who brought them to life with pallet and brush. They come from Mallaysia, Italy and Iran, to mention just a few. Yet, all the artists who participated in From Around the World: Muslim Women Artists have united in this small gallery on the campus of St. John's University to help promote the same idea.

They are here to reform the image of Muslim women by displaying their eclectic artistry for all to view. Of course, all the artists taking part in the exhibition are women. They are also Muslim. But that is where the similarities end. The 11 artists participating are native to nine different countries.

The exhibition has been assembled to expose an area of culture that is not usually associated with women of Islamic faith. But as you walk around the Chung Cheng Gallery, it is hard to imagine why that would be the case.

"The fact is that Islamic women can think," said Dr. Habibeh Rahim, a professor in the department of theology and religious studies at St. John's who coordinated the exhibition. "They have equal opportunity, they are allowed to manifest their humanity."

The underlying theme of From Around the World: Muslim Women Artists is that these artists are extraordinarily capable of purveying their personal feelings of the Islamic faith in a style completely original, no matter what gender or background.

The artists on exhibition express themselves like all the great masters- in their own unique style. There are paintings in the folklore style, that use caricatures to represent the people created. There are abstract expressions, such as the style invoked by artist Sharifah Zuriah Aljeffri. The native of Malaysia uses Chinese brush strokes to accommodate native phrases translated into Islamic-Arabic script.

Figural paintings like those of Maryam Zangeneh of Iran are more realistic drawings defined by their quick, bold brush strokes. Others use calligraphy to relay thoughts and ideas because of the Muslim tradition's belief that the pen is ued to reflect thoughts of intellect.

"Islam is a global faith," said Dr. Rahim. "That shows that with that global diversity is gender equality. Both have to say prayers, fast, go on pilgrimages. The reward for good ethics is the same."

Dr. Rahim stressed the importance of dismissing the image Muslim women have come to be associated with as merely secondary to males. According to Dr. Rahim, the image is based on a cultural bias that is unsubstantiated in the faith and is not a traditional role. The exhibit is merely an avenue to display the independent creative thinking of Muslim women, she said.

Dr. Rahim quoted from the Koran (Qur'an) to support her strong feelings, noting a phrase that translated into English means that "everyone was created from a single soul."

Human beings are the only creature who have the intellect that gives them the responsibility to use wisdom and knowledge, she said. "Everybody has the equal opportunity."

Dr. Rahim further explained that the role of Muslim women in society has been distorted by popular perception, the chief antagonist being the media. "The reporting of Islam is done from crisis to crisis," said Dr. Rahim, "they are being ignorant."

Dr. Rahim, with the aid of volunteer students and members of the Muslim Association at St. John's, is responsible for gathering this prestigious group of internationally renowned artists.

Students helped by driving artists to and from airports, as well as hanging up portraits around the gallery. "I'm very humbled and gratified by the willingness of these people to share their art with us," said Dr. Rahim.

All the artists exhibited their work voluntarily and the entire show has been run without a budget.

The exhibit is being held in the Chung-Cheng Art Gallery inside Sun Yat-Sen hall through March 10.