“Survival Mosque” is a political and artistic statement in kit form, concealing several items designed to help Muslims deal with a jingoist American culture. Inside, explains We Make Money Not Art, is:
an American-flag pattern that communicates patriotism, an umbrella that surveys one’s back, washing solution for ablution and for cleaning when a Muslim get spit on, ear plugs against insults, American constitution proofing rights of American Muslims, a loud-speaker with speech on tolerance held by President George W. Bush, educative books, communication devices, etc. The mosque is self-sufficient; the prayer rug is supplying its own energy source via photo-voltaic solar cells. The Survival Mosque can be transformed and camouflaged into bags, which communicate with each other via bluetooth. The bag-speakers reflect paranoia spreading messages regarding terrorism, but they can also function as muezzins; calling for prayer at prayer times.
I don’t want to get into a discussion that encompasses both religion and politics, but ignoring the presumptions made by the artist Azra Akšamija, it’s certainly an interesting way to make a statement.
Akšamija’s “Nomadic Mosque” project is more subtly clever, integrating prayer rugs into clothing for the modern mobile Muslim’s mosqueless Meccanized ministrations.
WMMNA has a great interview with Akšamija should you like to learn more.
Several ways to wear a mosque [WMMNA]
