Berkeley Art Center performance collaboration with Spiritual Artist Salma Arastu.

“Join us for an exhibition showcasing local Muslim women artists, including Salma Arastu, Bassamat Fayoumi Bahnasy, Manli Salimah Chao, Rabea Chaudhry, Rubina Kazi, Yasmin Khafagi, Azeem Khaliq, Nabeela Sajjad and Ayesha Samdani. Inspired by the beauty of Arabic calligraphy — which developed from the Islamic tradition forbidding the depiction of God, Mohamed and the prophets in art — the artists in this show work abstractly to represent spiritual concepts, words and ideas.

As part of the opening reception for Universal Messages: New Vistas, singers and performers of various faith backgrounds will present “Sounds of Faith,” a program of spiritual songs, starting at 7pm. The performance will begin with a recitation from the Quran, followed by Hebrew hymns, a medley of Indian bhajans, a healing hymn and Sufi chanting. Featuring Mustapha Harb, Taya Shere, Snigdha Venkataramani, Clare Hedin and Issa Chishty.”