Zenab Kazmi

بازیافت ایمان Bazyaft e Imaan (Reclaiming Faith)

Hand-woven Urdu text on woven date-leaf mat

“For this work, I drew inspiration from the term "image-object"; the image takes form in the text created with red yarn, while the object/commodity is the date-leaf prayer mat. Through this work, I wanted to express the resilience and history of queer Muslims of Pakistan, drawing from the collective knowledge and narratives that bind us together. Here, I sought to tell a collective story of perseverance.The woven mat, traditionally used as a prayer mat, became my canvas. On it, I wove and glued 15 Urdu slurs (words weaponized against queer and trans people) with red yarn. The intention here is not to criticize Islam, a faith that holds personal meaning, but to challenge the extremist gatekeepers who distort its teachings.The red yarn, inseparable in its threads, reflects the dense homophobia and transphobia embedded in these slurs and the insurmountable times these have been uttered. The weaving represents the trauma it caused. The red yarn carries a bold statement: we have always been here, no matter the labels imposed upon us. This piece is both a defiance and a reclamation, declaring that we belong!Far from an act of disrespect, this reimagined prayer mat is a symbol of reclaiming sacred space, of reminding ourselves and others that queerness and faith are not mutually exclusive. It is a tribute to the enduring spirit of queer Muslims who navigate their identities with courage and grace, resisting erasure while reclaiming their rightful place in history and faith.”