American Muslim Association of Hayward (Gading Mosque)

Hayward, California

In February 2018, I started working on a few projects for a new mosque in Hayward, California. The first project was around the main hall of the masjid, with part of Surah Rahman written around the room. This chapter is noted by its oft-repeated verse, reminding us all, “which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?”In February 2018, I started working on a few projects for a new mosque in Hayward, California. The first project was around the main hall of the masjid, with part of Surah Rahman written around the room. This chapter is noted by its oft-repeated verse, reminding us all, “which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?”

In mid-March, I began working on the dome of the mosque. Looking up at it in the beginning was a bit intimidating; I’d never taken on a project of this scale before, but the challenge was definitely worth it! The base of the dome has verse 35 from Surah Noor, also known as The Verse of Light. The top of the dome states the first pillar of our faith: “I bear witness that there is no God but God and Muhammad [peace be upon him] is His messenger.”

Text Translations

Around the main prayer hall: “The Most Beneficent (Allah). Has taught (you mankind) the Qur'an (by His Mercy). He created man. He taught him eloquent speech. The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses (exactly) calculated with measured out stages for each (for reckoning, etc.). And the herbs (or stars) and the trees both prostrate. And the heaven He has raised high, and He has set up the Balance. In order that you may not transgress (due) balance. And observe the weight with equity and do not make the balance deficient. And the earth He has put for the creatures. Therein are fruits, date-palms producing sheathed fruit-stalks (enclosing dates). And also corn, with (its) leaves and stalk for fodder, and sweet-scented plants. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? He created man (Adam) from sounding clay like the clay of pottery. And the jinns did He create from a smokeless flame of fire. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? (He is) the Lord of the two easts (places of sunrise during early summer and early winter) and the Lord of the two wests (places of sunset during early summer and early winter). Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? He has let loosed the two seas (the salt water and the sweet) meeting together. Between them is a barrier which none of them can transgress. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? Out of them both come out pearl and coral. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?” (Quran, 55:1-23)

Around the base of the dome: “Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things.” (Quran, 24:35)

Top of the dome: “I bear witness that there is no God but God and Muhammad [peace be upon him] is His messenger.”

Click through the slideshow below for images of this project.