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Leili and Majnun: Khamseh of Nizami Ganjavi
Leili First, Ph.D. The Garden of Light Meditation & Prayer Room
From the planning and design, and continuing through the groundbreaking, construction and now artwork completed on the domed ceiling and walls, every idea and decision behind the Meditation and Prayer Room at The Garden of Light in Napa, California, has been designed as a community service by the International Association of Sufism (IAS) for the people of faith.
Beginning with the inspiration of Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar, this vision has become a reality through the generous donations of members and supporters of the International Association of Sufism. This project has been years in the making, as every step of the design and construction process has been carefully considered with clear and unified intention to create a serene, welcoming structure to stand for all of time. It honors believers and their faith. The direction is oriented toward qibla, running water is available for ablution, and a wheelchair accessible walkway enables all to easily approach the building and enter for contemplation, meditation, prayer, and remembrance of loved ones.
The recently-completed calligraphy on the dome and interior walls reflects teachings of peace and unity and features the names of many of the prophets in the monotheistic traditions as well as several of the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah, those qualities which infuse all of Creation, and for which we strive.
The calligraphy artist, Sehar Shahzad, was born and raised in Toronto and currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is devoted to her faith and to the practice of her artistic calligraphy. Her work is known throughout the Bay Area and internationally, and she has taught workshops and participated in exhibitions. She notes that she considers her work as an act of worship, and hopes to master the tradition of Arabic calligraphy, following in the line of the masters who have
come before and illuminating the path for those to come after. Her dedication and concentration are evident in the beautiful work on the dome and interior walls of the Prayer Room. She spent months developing and refining the designs, in an inspired collaboration. This was followed by weeks of meticulous application of paint to the prepared surfaces, resulting in the breathtaking beauty that will be appreciated by generations to come.
As we continue to complete the project improvements and plan for ongoing care and maintenance, we welcome contributions to this magnificent project.
