The Moon Song
Light Over Shadows II, 2012, by Moataz Nasr. Ink on leather and plexiglass, he uses the blue and white ink on leather to write the words “light upon light” from the Holy Qur’an (24:35). From Ithra’s art collection.
“O the White Moon rose over us
From the Valley of Wada’
And we owe it to show gratefulness
Where the call is to Allah
O you who were raised amongst us
coming with a work to be obeyed
You have brought to this city nobleness
Welcome! best call to God’s way…”
Calligraphic creation by artist Yousif Yahya.
“Tala’ al-Badru ‘alayna,” The full moon chant, is believed by many to be the first song or ‘nasheed’ of the Muslim tradition which was sung in Arabic with great joy and celebration as the Prophet Muhammad entered into Madinah. It is said the people of Madinah waited for the Prophet’s arrival, who was seeking refuge from danger,
and upon seeing him on his camel, they began to cheer and started singing this now very famous chant. The moon is an important symbol of purity, hope and light in the darkness of life and night. It also governs the Islamic calendar, setting the timings of fasts and feasts, with new moon sightings bringing new joys.
