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RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS NEWS
By TAHLIB
I have a bad habit. As Palestinians and Israelis clash and die in Gaza, I've remained a bystander. Tomorrow evening on Monday, July 28, the Islamic holydays of Ramadan end following a month of fasting and prayer to rid ourselves of bad habits. Prayers are said in the direction of the Kaaba, a cubed black building at the center of Mecca, and my prayer is that before Ramadan ends that I will stop being a bystander. That's why "Diversity" by Siddiqa Juma (above) is my NEWS OF WEEK.

In other religious art news from across the USA, and around the world:
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Comments

Ernest Disney-Britton said…
Bystanders are individuals who do not make the choice to offer any kind of help to victims of injustice or oppression. Americans are particularly prone to being silent bystanders. We call it "diplomacy." During the 1800s, ninety percent of Americans were either bystanders or supporters of the injustice of slavery. During WWII as Hitler began his persecution of Jews, Americans were also silent as we relied on diplomacy. During the Civil Rights era in the U.S. and the Apartheid era in South Africa, we were again mostly bystanders. The good news however is that eventually something does wakes us up, and we end diplomacy. We end the silence, and we take action. As I've watched the events in the Middle East and specifically in the Gaza, I too have been a silent bystander, but today it's over, and I credit this painting for my decision. Today I've written a letter to President Obama requesting military action. I'll also send-up prayers, but I've also sent a check to show my support. I'm not saying that all sides in these debates don't have valid claims, but bystanders don't choose sides, and I'm done being a bystander. So, what will you do?
Sun Jul 27, 03:34:00 PM EDT
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