Medina's Maidens
2019
Digital Drawing

Medina's Maidens 

This image depicts a crowd of women and girls in the town square of ancient Medina. Dunes and palm trees are side by side with old mud houses. The women are walking away from the viewer raising excited hands to greet P. Muhammed as he arrives in their town. His face appears in the sky surrounded by a halo next to a full moon. Some of the women are playing drums. The sky is decorated with a blend of geometric design and henna design. The image represents the Muslim migration from Mecca to Medina to escaped persecution by the Meccans. It is a milestone of Islamic history and the commencement of the Hijri calendar. The song might be the first known Muslim artistic production. The ancient story tells us that the young women of Medina went out at dawn drumming and singing the Full Moon song that became a legend. The song starts with: The full moon has risen upon us. This mythology praises the generous acceptance of the ancient Medinites to Meccan immigrants. In 2015, the Canadian children’s choir sang the same song as a welcoming event for the Syrian refugees. 
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