Anas Al-Shaikh
Work in the exhibition "Nafas"

Many contemporary societies admit the merit and preference of many Western advances in science, industry, technology and culture as undisputed. The West may have the right to bring what it deems good and appropriate for it and its multiple interests to other communities; but this does not necessarily mean that we have to approve, endorse or follow the thought, concept and values that it proposes or imposes, as these suit its own interests.

The issue and true crisis we experience in our contemporary lives is within ourselves. We are the remnant generation of the Islamic civilization, one of the world's greatest, and the key questions are: where is the civilization and where are we now?

- Rejecters
- Followers
- Moderators
- Dominants
- Silencers

These are the different approaches faced within our society and he/she believes it has a monopoly on the truth. However, none of them has been able to prove its credibility and ability to lead and transform itself from within, into a modern, effective society, capable of keeping abreast with other societies, awakening its notion to restore its plundered rights.

- Maybe we are to blame for the many mistakes that have happened and are about to occur.
- Maybe we are to blame for our failure in not achieving freedom, multilateralism, justice and
equality.
- Maybe we are to blame for our misunderstanding of the message of Islam and the essence of its tolerant creed.
- Maybe we are to blame for our weakness in the face of others.
- Maybe we are to blame for keeping our distance from the civilization of the other.

But despite all of this, we remain "not for sale".

Statement of the artist

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