Local artist showcases diversity of San Antonio Muslims in 'Faces of Islam' project
SAN ANTONIO — An art exhibit is in the works showing how locals feel about being Muslims today.
We spoke with, Ramin Samandari, a local artist as he showcases the faces of Islam.
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Ramin was born in Iran in 1960. His desire to pursue a higher education brought him to the U.S in 1979.
“At the time in 1979, Iran was in the middle of a revolution," said Samandari.
He arrived in West Texas with the hope of studying medicine. Soon after enrolling in college, he recalled the start of the Hostage Crisis in Iran and the social stigma he experienced because of it.
"I just wanted to learn the language and get rid of any accent," said Samandari.
Instead of finishing his medical studies, he turned to art. Before the latest bombing in Iran, Samandari started working on "The faces of Islam" interviewing and photographing the Muslim community.
Two people, featured in the piece, Rashin and Mojgan expressed how important "Faces of Islam" is.
"We're all the same deep down inside Muslim or not Muslim we're all human," said Rashin.
Mojgan agreed saying, "I'm Iranian and I was born Muslim.”
Through his interviews, Samandari hopes to showcase the Muslim community in San Antonio, a few of them like Mojgan and Rashin who are Iranian Americans.
"We are still suffering the backlash post 9/11 anti-Islamic and then there’s the antisemitism that’s happening a lot nowadays and that's a trouble."
Overall, Samandari says he's thankful city leaders including law enforcement have expressed their support for diversity.
