ABOUT COMPASS & LEAD
السلام غليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Asalamualaikum Wa Rahmat Allah Wa Barakatuhu
Welcome to COMPASS & LEAD. All praise and Thanks are due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. It is only by His permission that we and this platform exists And it is To He which everything belongs and returns.
COMPASS & LEAD is a creative platform rooted in appreciation — of form, pattern, structure, and the beauty Allah has placed in the world around us.
Here, you will find a collection of visual explorations of Islamic art, geometry, architecture, nature and interior design, both traditional and contemporary. Alongside this, you may find cherished moments I’ve captured during my travels.
The name COMPASS & LEAD reflects both craft and meaning. Just as geometry begins with simple tools to create something intricate (a compass and pencil) we too are guided — step by step — towards purpose, balance, and clarity.
Through visual works and exploration, you are invited to look beyond the surface, discover new perspectives and reflect on how these connections can relate to our everyday lives.
Approach with an open mind and an open heart. You may find that creativity, faith, and intention are more closely connected than they first appear.
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EST
2018
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BEHIND THE COMPASS
Muslim before all things. Mixed heritage. British-born. Arabic and Linguistics graduate. Language teacher. Artist.
My interests have long centred on language, poetry, art, and design — forms of expression that reveal something about how we understand and engage with the world.
My appreciation for Islamic geometry and architecture began long before I learnt their construction. Starting with my grandmother’s house placing such precedent in my life, leaving a lasting impression on me. From the tiles, the intricate ceilings, and the craftsmanship woven into every corner. These details became part of how I understood beauty, memory, and the relationship between the things we create and the lives we live around them. Every carved corner filled with the memory of times both happy and sad.
I began exploring Islamic geometry in November 2018. Since then, it has become an ongoing study in observation, patience, and precision warring with the demands of life. Just like language learning, there is humility in it’s process. Every line requires consideration; every measurement affects the next. What appears effortless in its final form often rests upon hours of careful construction.
And whilst we strive for precision, our work remains human. And while intricacy is remarkable, it is immeasurable against the beauty and grandeur of Allah’s creation. And as beautiful as the work of human hands may be, just imagine the grandeur and excellence that must exist beyond this life.
COMPASS & LEAD
CONTACT
For collaborations and creative connections; get in touch.
