03 October 2009

Acclaimed Spiritual Graffiti artist mohammed Ali paints London street mural

Award winning artist Mohammed Ali has just completed his first London Spiritual graffiti mural, in the heart of the busy shopping area of Green Street, Upton Park, sponsored by a leading UK charity relief organisation Muslim Hands.

During Saturday 31st October, Mohammed painted his mural in front of busy shoppers, art critics and general public, while spoken word poets performed over a PA system, bringing together huge crowds on the busy street corner on Green Street.

The message of the mural read �Knowledge � A weapon against mass distraction� warns against the dangers of ignorance, and is aimed at bringing together different faith communities, to celebrate the common values that are shared.

The mural attracted mass attention from people all over London and beyond, and an audience stayed throughout the day to see the mural completed by sunset.  After completing the mural by the end of the day, Mohammed says 'This is where art should be, out in the open for all to see and appreciate, not hidden away in an  nice art gallery'

Even local councillors turned up to witness this landmark mural that now graces this popular spot. Labour councillor of Newham, Cllr.Sharaf Mahmood  says 'With interfaith forums, people of different backgrounds and religions coming together to clean up the area and make a difference, this links in with what we're trying to do as a council. I'm really pleased that he's chosen Green Street.'

Mohammed Ali is renowned for his unique street-art which addresses issues that face multi-cultural and multi-faith societies. His murals have been painted across the globe from New York to Sydney Australia, have been welcomed and reported by international media as a 'bridge of understanding, between faith communities.'

Muslim Hands, a UK based international relief organisation has commissioned Mohammed Ali to paint his murals across UK cities.  Shahid Bashir, the director of Muslim Hands says 'Mohammed works perfectly for us, as he highlights principles that we as a charity stand for, highlighting issues such as alleviating poverty.'

To view a web gallery of images taken from the day visit: http://www.muslimhands.org/greenstgraffiti


Notes to editors

Mohammed Ali can be available for a photo opportunity at the Green Street mural by arrangement.
Further High-Resolution images and Video footage are available on request.
Muslim Hands is registered in the UK with British Overseas NGOs Development (BOND), DFID and a signatory to the Code of Conduct for The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief

For more information contact:

Afaaf Rajbee, Head of communications at muslim Hands
Email afaaf.rajbee@muslimhands.org

Phone 0203  246  0015