INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month for August is Teresa Mas (Again)

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

Baby Krishna by Teresa Mas

Since we began this journey in 2008, we've come across some truly amazing religious artists working in America but Teresa Mas stands out, and especially among Hindu artists. We first saluted her in December 2011 as our INSPIRE ME! Artist of the Month and she continues to fascinate and inspire with her fresh and colorful works. This month however is especially special because this month we are joining the 950 million followers of Hinduism around the world in celebrating the birth of the Hindu god Krishna. The holyday of "Krishna Janmachtami" is August 17th, and we are proud celebrate that "auspicious" day by featuring Florida artist Teresa Mas as our Artist of the Month.

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For Muslims In Gaza, End Of Ramadan Marred By Fighting

NPR NEWS
By Emily Harris

Members of a Palestinian family break their fast with the iftar meal during the holy month of Ramadan.

ISRAEL--The Muslim holiday, which began Monday, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. This year, it also marks three weeks since the current war in Gaza started. Eid al-Fitr is a religious holiday and a family celebration. Relatives offer each other gifts of cash and chocolate. Kids look forward to special cookies and new clothes. But on the first day of what is traditionally a three-day holiday, Israeli jets continued their offensive in Gaza, and Hamas militants continued to launch rockets into Israel — despite a call by the United Nations for both Israel and Hamas to implement a humanitarian cease-fire for "the Eid period and beyond." [link]

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Siddiqa Juma is Featured in Dubai's Celebration of Contemporary Islamic Art for Ramadan

THE NATIONAL
By Hareth A. Bustani

"Diversity" by Siddiqa Juma is one of the works on show at Emaar Pavilion. Courtesy Ahlan Art Gallery, London

DUBAI---This Ramadan, Dubai celebrates the spirit of modern Islam with an international contemporary Islamic art exhibition – in the heart of its urban Downtown area. The collection, from the London-based Ahlan Art gallery, has taken residence at Emaar Pavilion’s the Gallery, and its Ramadan tent. Hassan Mawji, the co-founder of Ahlan Art and the charity Mount Elimu, welcomes Ahlan Art’s first exhibition at the venue. Mawji says the piece to look out for is the one right by the entrance – "Diversity," by Siddiqa Juma. The image depicts the Ka’aba, surrounded by a sea of different coloured dots. Diversity celebrates the way in which Muslims from across the world are brought together for the Haj pilgrimage, a microcosm of the Muslim community at large. [link]

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10-Day Islamic Art Exhibition Opens in Peshawar, Pakstan for Ramadan

THE NATION

The astounding collection includes copies of the Quran in various styles of
calligraphy dating back to the eras of long-forgotten emperors. PHOTO: PPI

PAKISTAN---A ten-day exhibition on “Islamic Calligraphy and Manuscripts”, organized by Directorate of Archaeology and Museums Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was inaugurated here on Saturday. Amjad Afridi, Advisor to Chief Minister on Sports, Tourism, Archaeology, Museums and Youth Affairs, opened the exhibition at a ceremony, held at Peshawar Museum. The exhibition will continue till the end of Ramazan. More than 105 pieces of calligraphic artwork artistically inscribed with selected verses from the Holy Quran were showcased at the Museum.[link]

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China Bans Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan

BREIBART.COM
by Jordan Schachtel

CHINA---Uyghur Muslims located in the northwest of China have been ordered to cease their observance of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month that necessitates taking part in fasting during the day. According to the Associated Press, statements about the ban have been posted on the websites of government agencies, organizations, and schools in the Xinjiang region. Chinese officials said the Ramadan ban was being instituted to protect the well-being of students, and to protect them from schools and government offices that wanted to promote the Islamic faith. “No teacher can participate in religious activities, instill religious thoughts in students or coerce students into religious activities,” said a post on a school’s website. Xinjiang is under tight security guidelines following recent attacks from Uyghur Muslim extremists. [link]

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Emaar Blends Islamic Art and Arabian Hospitality at ‘Downtown’ Ramadan Tent’

ALBAWABA

Visitors can revel in a warm, welcoming and truly celebratory ambience with hues of purple
enveloping the tent, which opens to unmatched views of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES---The rich heritage of Arabian hospitality will meet the captivating beauty of Islamic art this Ramadan, at ‘Downtown,’ Emaar’s Ramadan tent in Downtown Dubai. ‘Downtown’ provides visitors with an experience like no other; a journey that begins at the spectacular entrance, where they can observe the design aesthetics of Emaar’s upcoming projects, including The Opera District and Dubai Hills Estate models, spread across the venue. Visitors can revel in a warm, welcoming and truly celebratory ambience with hues of purple enveloping the tent, which opens to unmatched views of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. They can enjoy world-class traditional and contemporary cuisine, catered by Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure subsidiary of Emaar. [link]

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Ramadan Prep Guide for the Busy Professional | June 28-July 28, 2014

MUSLIM MATTERS.ORG
Posted by: Siraaj

I'm all for uplifting messages that inspire us to put forth our best effort in worshiping Allāh subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) during Ramadan.  However, in lands where people do not have the luxury of time and sleep post-suhoor, getting maximum benefit out of Ramadan requires a bit of doing before entering into the month full force.  [link]

With this in mind, the following is a series of posts covering:

• Part 1 – Training Season (Fasting)
• Part 2 – Goal Setting. (Scripture, Service)
• Part 3 – Calending (5 Prayers)
• Part 4 – Miscellaneous Stuff.

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Shavuot & Diversity of Opinions Fosters Judaism’s Growth and Development.

JERUSALEM POST

Torah scrolls around the world Photo: Elie Posner/ Israel Museum

ISRAEL---It was a temporary and uncharacteristic moment of Jewish unity, the rabbis teach, which facilitated the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. At that time, just 50 days after the Exodus from Egypt, the Jewish People were united “like one person, with one heart.” It was this unique state of unity that paved the way for the receiving of the Torah. But is unity really such a good thing? Obviously, the sort of fratricidal violence that gripped the Jewish People at numerous periods in their long history has proven to be self-destructive. However, what is wrong with good healthy debate? The bickering, argumentative, authority-questioning aspect of Jewish and Israeli culture is what makes us such a dynamic and innovative people. The same holds true for religion. [link]

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Uganda Martyrs Raise Questions on Homosexuality, Religion and Gay Rights

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS NEWS
By TAHLIB

Uganda Martyrs (with Saint Charles Lwanga in the center) by Albert Wider (Wikimedia Commons)

In yesterday's In Jesus In Love Blog, Kittredge Cherry introduces the disturbing execution of 45 Ugandan male pages who were burned to death on June 3, 1886 for refusing to have sex with their gay King Mwanga II. She wrote: "These boys and young men were canonized by the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, leaving some truths hidden by their halos." I knew nothing about this story, "but they are famous in much of Africa" wrote Cherry and June 3 is a national holiday in Uganda. The King was a bisexual teenager with wives, children, who had sex with other male teens without their consent. male sex partners. It's a shocking tale, and one used to harm gay Africans today.

Some of the future Uganda Martyrs were photographed in 1885, less than a year before they were killed, at Bukumbi Mission in Mwanza (northern Tanganyika). They went there to welcome the new Catholic bishop, Leon Livinhac.

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RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS NEWS
By TAHLIB

"Where you go, I will go," said Ruth to Naomi, and one of my favorite paintings of this moment is by Jewish artist Arthur Szyk (1894-1951). This week, Jews worldwide mark their holyday of Shavuot with readings from the Book of Ruth, and many will also celebrate the women's relationship as a symbol for Gay Pride month (June). Szyk was not gay, but he was a highly respected illustrator and a fierce human rights advocate. During his funeral, his rabbi eulogized him as "a champion of justice" who "brilliantly" used his art as his tool. This June, a new documentary, Soldier in Art: Arthur Szyk is traveling, and a retrospective on his work ends at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. For all these reasons, Arthur Szyk's "Ruth & Naomi" (above) is my NEWS OF WEEK. Happy holiday & Happy Pride!

In other religious art news from across the USA, and around the world:

• Buddhist Art of Week: Red Baron's art collection to be auctioned at Sotheby's [More News]
• Christian Art of Week: Mary Carlson’s soulful little ceramic sculptures [More News]
• Hindu Art of Week: Mystical Hindu paintings suddenly appear at Angkor Wat [More News]
• Islamic Art of Week: Javed Qamar's calligraphic "The Islamic Dream Land" [More News]
• Movie of Week: Angelina Jolie brilliantly stars in ‘Maleficent,’ from Disney [More News]

Join the journey. We are all members of one spiritual family united in the search for human meaning through art from the religious imagination. For us, it's more than Art. It's Religion. We follow artists who explore religious ideas with their creativity. When you follow religious artists, you join others who do the same. Some of us join as "Collectors" and make policy decisions; others join as "Friends" who gather for the dialogues; and most of us join as "Subscribers" to this "free" weekly newsletter; (or follow on: Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, or Soundcloud).

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In the City of Angels: Jews Up All night With God

JEWISH JOURNAL
By Edmond Rodman

Detail of Shechina on “Angel Wall”

CALIFORNIA---In a City of Angels, with murals and figures of the agents of heaven fluttering everywhere, as we approach Shavuot and the time of Matan Torah — the receiving of the Torah — you would think that finding a place to have a revelatory moment would be as easy as stepping outside. On the night of June 3, many Jews here will celebrate the first night of Shavuot by traveling to their own Mount Sinais, climbing a metaphorical mountain of ideas, impressions and words that will be presented to help them imagine what it means to receive the Torah. According to a midrash, the Jewish people slept the entire night before receiving the Torah. [link]

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Shavuot: BAJC Marks Jewish Holiday and Gay Pride Month

THE COMMONS ONLINE

Ruth and Naomi by Arthur Szyk. Courtesy of Contemporary Jewish Museum

VERMONT---On Tuesday, June 3, from 7 p.m. to midnight, Brattleboro Area Jewish Community (BAJC) will offer a fun evening of study for the holiday of Shavuot and to mark June as Gay Pride Month in Brattleboro. On Shavuot, it is customary to stay up all night to study Jewish texts. In honor of Gay Pride Month in Brattleboro, the community will study the contemporary midrashic (interpretive) reading of this text as a story of lesbian love and commitment between Ruth and Naomi. They’ll also consider Naomi as a stranger in a foreign land, Ruth as a convert, and Ruth and Naomi as powerful women who use gender relations to their advantage. [link]

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Happy Birthday, Buddha! World Celebrates Vesak Day

NBC NEWS

A child drops coins into golden Buddha statues as a symbol of blessings on
Vesak Day at the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple in Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur.

Vesak Day is observed annually during the full moon in May or June, celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Gautama Buddha. Buddhist monks carry jars of holy water for supplies on Vesak Day, commonly known as "Buddha's birthday" during a holy water ceremony on May 13 in Temanggung, Central Java, Indonesia. Vesak Day is observed during the full moon in May or June, celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and the passing of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. [link]

Buddhist monks carrying water to bathe Buddha

Myanmar devotees offer prayers at the Shwedagon pagoda on the full
moon day of the Kasone Festival to mark Buddha's birthday in Yangon.

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Today – May 13, 2014 – is Narasimha Jayanti – Narasimha Chaturdashi

HINDU-BLOG

Today, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, is observed as Narasimha Jayanti – also known as Narasimha Chaturdashi. Narasimha Avatar is the fourth incarnation of Hindu God Vishnu and is popularly known as ‘man-lion’ or ‘half man – half lion’ incarnation. The main aim of the Narasimha incarnation was to end the tyranny of Hiranyakashipu and restore the path of Dharma. Prahlada, the young son of Hiranyakashipu and an ardent devotee of Vishnu, paved the way for the removal of Adharma. The avatar of Narasimha also proves that intense and self sacrificing devotion of devotees will be answered by the Supreme Truth. [link]

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