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Monday I'll
try to take some pictures to illustrate this sometime, or I might
even put the video on site if I ever get to be able to afford the
convertor. Until then you'll just have to make do with the
words. |
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Evening Call - 31/01/94
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External
shot of Museum
Name
Plate at Entrance
Interior of Main Gallery
*Picture of Allah Calligraphy
Ahmed Moustafa Painting
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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.
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Dali Crucifixion
Ahmed Moustafa Painting
(moving up through names)
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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.
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Shiva or Hindu display
Ahmad
Moustafa Painting
*X-Fade
to Allah Calligraphy
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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. |
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