Overview

I teased this piece on my Instagram story, saying everyone would see this interesting series in a month. So a month later here we were; days before Ramadan began and this series showcasing three significant places for Muslims around the world. To show these holy places in a new light, to show the magical journeys that took place by them throughout time. The fantastical facets that are hidden from the gray of today.

Dome of the Rock - Qubbat al-Sakhrah

A reflection, golden clouds, and a gold crescent moon float above sunset hues. A night journey through the world’s different parallels.

All as this shrine sits atop, broken and fixed over and over throughout time by different people.

Fantasy in the world hidden by the gray of the world.

The Prophet's Mosque - Al-Masjid an-Nabawi

The second-most holiest site in Islam; The Prophet's Mosque. One of the few things remaining today that are directly attached to the Prophet (pbuh) and one that marks an important point during Hajj.

Fun fact: this masjid was the first place to have electrical lights in the Arabian Peninsula.

I chose to mirror the masjid to show it in another realm, isolated, no one around, and stuck in time.

The masjid sleeps in the desert, the birds swiftly fly by, escaping the sand that could easily drown them.

The lights float around in front of a setting sun, mimicking flies on fire but just not there.

The lights float around in front of a setting sun, not on fire, but engulfed by the calm serenity that surrounds them.

The Kaaba - al-Ka'bah al-Musharrafah

The Kaaba is the final installation of the 3-part series by Usama Khalid. The series displays the 3 holiest sites of Islam in a dream-like surrounding that puts them out of the ordinary place.

The Kaaba is the most holiest site in Islam because it is to this building that Muslims all around the world face and put their heads towards the Kaaba 5 times a day.

It is symbolic through being the connection to God in this temporary world and the illustration portrays the Kaaba sitting in the clouds, under a solar eclipse.