Urdu Calligraphy + Emojis & Imam Khalid Latif = Friendship

This was my first piece done in Urdu Language inspired by

Imam Khalid Latif (Executive Director of the Islamic Center at NYU) as a birthday gift for him!
Both of us are October born and exactly 1 week apart (I guess that explains our personalities and close friendship!)

When I became the Hindu Chaplin of NYU I was scared, nervous, all sorts of emotions were going on in my head. There is no concept of “chaplaincy” or the word “chaplain” in Hinduism. My father built 3 Hindu Temples in the USA and I was raised inside the temple, learning to love and respect my religion through classical South Asian music, dance, and art. I love puja (ritualistic prayer) and am nicknamed
“The Puja Queen”. I have been called a weirdo for being religious all my life!

Then I met the amazing Imam Khalid Latif. Khalid was the first person to welcome me, talk me through my hard times and celebrate with me my happiest moments and achievements. Khalid is Pakistani American (from NJ) and I am Indian American (from CA), I was so happy/surprised to meet someone who shares my cultural background, is religious, and is born and raised in the west like me. I’m an artist/designer by profession and he’s an Imam, our work environments and day to day routines are completely different yet he appreciates my art and supports me in my creative endeavors. Funny pic of him when I wrapped him in my Inshallah Graffiti print scarf, I made sure there is no silk in the design so all Muslim men can wear it. (Some traditions don’t allow Muslim Men to wear silk). I have learnt so much from him these past couple of years and am so grateful for his friendship. He welcomes/includes me in all the events the Mosque puts on. I celebrated 4 EIDS last year! It was amaaazing! <3 Khalid doesn’t see the difference between a Muslim and Hindu, he allows me to love him in my own weird, artsy way 😊

I launched this line to battle negative stereotypes, celebrate brown people/culture, educate, and bring together our diverse communities.

Hindus and Muslims have had a long history in India and many negative stereotypes, hatred, animosity continues to fester in the USA. It is really heartbreaking to hear and watch. Our brown communities tend to stick to their own language groups, cultures, and religions, when in reality in the west we all look the same, we are all brown people!

Hindus & Muslims are NOT THAT DIFFERENT!

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Parts of Nepal, Parts of Iran were ALL one nation before partition we share more in culture, heritage, religious beliefs than differ. 😊

Cause let's face it, from Morocco to Lebanon all the way past Bangladesh and everything in between, brown people we all the same -
we loud, we have annoying aunties/uncles, same cultural pressures, we love to eat, sing & dance, watch a ton of Bollywood, wear a lot of jewelry and have amazing textiles 😂

CONCEPT / STORY

Protect us always from
Hearts that are not humble,
Tongues that are not wise,
Eyes that have forgotten how to cry.
AMEEN

Hamain mefuuz rakhain un dilon sey jo narm nahiin
Un zabaanon sey jo daanaa nahiin hain
Aur un aankhon sey jo rona bhull gaee hain

Design inspired by my dear close friend/mentor/brother/guide (etc.)
You get the point!

Imam Khalid Latif

Every prayer/service/lecture he leads he concludes with the above prayer.
To honor his Pakistani American heritage, I created the calligraphy in Urdu language.

Khalid is the Muslim Chaplin and I am the Hindu Chaplin at NYU.
He refers to me as his “colleague” and often “formally” introduces me
to various institutions, organizations, etc. I find it very kind and thoughtful of him.

We have no “formalities” between us, free/open with each other,
hence our close friendship and bond.

If I text/talk to him in “formal language” no response,  if I text him
with full emojis and something funny he is quick to respond.

Inspired by our friendship, I combined emojis and Urdu Calligraphy.
Heart for “Hearts that are not humble”, Lips “Tongues that are not wise”,
Eye “Eyes that have forgotten how to cry” and prayer hands “Ameen”.