An artist living in Sacramento

An artist living in Sacramento, Calif., Janet Kozak Aly, 31, first discovered painting as a child -- she never let go. Many years later, Aly's spiritual conversion to Islam left that relationship undisturbed.

"I started incorporating Islamic themes into my artwork after my conversion in 2000," explains Aly Copy of oil painting Past Auction Results, whose work has culminated in a series of exhibitions. "I generally do not use detailed figures, like humans or animals, in my work, though I may occasionally use silhouettes. I prefer to instead use arabesques and geometric designs."

Aly began incorporating these traditional designs upon traveling to the United Arab Emirates and Egypt where she studied Islamic art. In modifying her artistic choices, she believes her Copy of oil painting A mini concert represent a more meaningful spiritual connection.

"I find the abstract nature of mathematical and floral designs more readily explain the organic connection I have to God," reflects Aly.

* * *
Faraz Khan, 36, is a visual artist from Princeton, New Jersey who creates Islamic art and calligraphy with a contemporary touch combining ink and acrylics.

"My work incorporates Arabic calligraphy with modern colorful themes and explores religious and secular themes," explains Khan.

A native of Pakistan, Khan first discovered his fascination with art during a trip to Syria where he immersed himself in the country's history, culture and language. In 2009, he formally began his professional art career.

"I have always been searching for ways to inspire and be inspired by work of faith. Art enables me to leave behind a trail of my struggle to create something meaningful even after I am gone Copy of oil painting Auction House," says Khan of his chosen career path.

And he has excelled.

Khan recently conducted an art class at Princeton University. It concluded with a collaborative group project: a mural transliterating into Arabic calligraphy more than 200 names of the college's streets, buildings, famous graduates and halls. The mural, which includes the names of Princeton alumnae Woodrow Wilson and John F. Kennedy, now hangs on campus.

Further, a commissioned piece for the Witherspoon Institute incorporated Arabic calligraphy in quoting a verse from the Quran: "There is no compulsion in religion, truth has been made manifest over falsehood."

"The artwork, based on the Quranic verse, employed a unique style of Arabic calligraphy to adorn a book cover and website about Islam and religious freedom sponsored by the Witherspoon Institute," touts Khan. "The book will be published in 15 different world languages to celebrate religious pluralism as defined in Islam."

Khan's art "No Compulsion" was first showcased this past summer at a week-long seminar held at the Princeton Theological Seminary. It was a significant moment for him.

"Through my art, I had the opportunity to highlight for a universal audience that religion should be a positive energy that creates beauty and order, not chaos and coercion," says Khan. "Copy of oil painting Return of the warrior and the verse from the Quran captured that high ideal of religious freedom as guaranteed in the American Constitution."