RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Ernest O. Britton

Today is the final day of Ramadan, and worldwide Muslim believers will celebrate that they didn't quit their commitment to fast for God. It is also the week the Olympics ended with amazing stories of Islamic women who against all odds did not quit. We all like to hear stories about people who won’t give up. Quitters aren’t much of an inspiration, but people who stay with a commitment even though the going gets tough are a source of great inspiration to all.  In Islam, as in other traditions, believers are asked to follow through the good and the bad, and challenged never to look back. One of the many heroes of Islam who didn't quit is Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, and son of the Virgin Mary, he who the holy Quran mentions twenty-five times, more often, by name, than the Prophet Muhammad (only four times). On a personal note, this week has been about never giving up, and in celebration of an interfaith Ramadan, I've selected this award winning drawing (above) of Jesus by John Paul as our NEWS OF WEEK.

In other Religious Art news from across the USA, and the world:

• Judaism in the Arts: Two Manhattan synagogues are among 23 “Sacred Sites” in New York State that have received grants for physical repairs from the New York Landmarks Conservancy. [More News]
• Islam in the Arts: The Louvre's long-awaited Islamic art galleries are in need of $13 million more in funding. [More News]
• Hinduism in the Arts: Indian jewelry maker Viswa & Devji creates a new, and exceptional line of diamond studded Hindu jewelry. [More News]
• Christianity in the Arts: Australian artist John Paul won the Mandorla prize for Christian-themed art with his gouache and pastel drawing "Palm Sunday". [More News]
• Buddhism in the Arts: Some Buddhists are outraged at Buddha's images on designer shoes from California. [More News]
• Tahlib's 5 Faiths Friday provocative pictures and news commentary. [More News]

ALSO, are you registered yet to "vote" for the A&O Prize for Contemporary Religious Art of the year? Register Today! Lastly, for more interfaith art news: join us on Facebook and/or Twitter, or just come back each day. It's another great way to keep up with gatherings of like-minded people who share your interest in Religious Art. After all, who is Religious Art for? Yes, it's for Believers, but also Skeptics too!