Evening Call - 31/01/94
External shot of Museum
Name Plate at Entrance
Interior of Main Gallery
*Picture of Allah Calligraphy
Ahmed Moustafa Painting
The latest museum in Glasgow deals with nothing but Religion. And why not? Science may deal with questions of "What" and "How", but to answer the great questions of life which begin with "Why" most English speakers will end up using the word "God". God knows why. As a muslim, I also use the Arabic word Allah for God, not a different God just a different language. I also use other names for God, there are 99 in this painting, but they are just like colours reflected in a diamond, whereas God is the light itself.
Dali Crucifixion
Ahmed Moustafa Painting
(moving up through names)
Now, Christians have an understanding of God made Man, reflected in a wonderful tradition of icons and images. As a muslim, I can't accept the idea of God becoming man, though I do believe that the Spirit of God is within us all, for Qur'an says that God is closer to us than the jugular vein, and knows the thoughts that whisper within us. But Qur'an also tells us to look for the signs of God in the wonders of Creation. God is Beautiful and loves Beauty, said the Prophet, and wherever you look there is the Face of God.
Shiva or Hindu display
Ahmad Moustafa Painting
*X-Fade to Allah Calligraphy
Hindus personify the different aspects of God in a whole pantheon of gods with different functions and talents. But for a muslim there is only the One God, Who cannot be represented but only named, the One apart from Whom there is no-one.