Artists Find Creative Ways Around Muslim Ban on Muhammad Images

RNS’s article of the week, linked above, looks at how artists work around depicting the prophet Muhammad. Of note, the article features a photo of a U.S. Supreme Court frieze which shows Muhammad among 17 other great lawgivers of history.

Quotes:

Global outrage and violence over insulting cartoons of Muhammad reveal just how inflammatory portrayals of the prophet can be. So to avoid controversy, visual artists like Demi have long found creative alternatives. The techniques range from blotting out Muhammad’s face in medieval manuscripts to shooting contemporary films from his vantage point.

and

Muslims generally don’t feel like they are missing out by not having pictures of the prophet, said Amir Hussain, a theology professor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

“It’s like the book vs. the movie,” Hussain said. “The movie is often disappointing while the book lets you use your imagination.”