Amna Salemeh
Amna Salameh is a Co-Founder of the Islamophobia Education Collective (IEC). She completed her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Louisiana State University, and finished her Master of Arts in Education, with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction, from California State University of Sacramento (CSUS). Her master’s project was titled “Professional Development on Islamophobia: A Multicultural Framework for Secondary Public School Educators.” With a background in education, she has served on both the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports committee and the Office of Educational Equity committee at the Elk Grove Unified School District. She has also served as an Education Consultant with the Counsel on American Islamic Relations’ Sacramento Valley Chapter where she designed and developed diversity-training presentations and educational materials for public and private employers. Amna is a frequent presenter and lecturer on topics surrounding Islam and Islamophobia at CSUS’ College of Education. She is currently a part-time lecturer at California State University of Sacramento and Southern University.
The Mental Colors of My Journey: The Stages of Istikhara
Black: I used black acrylic paint on canvas with a makeup sponge to describe my emotional colors when going through my difficult mental stages of Istikhara. In the first stage, I often feel stuck, lost, lonely, and dark thoughts take over my brain as I drown in the deepest and hardest times. This stage often includes me thinking of how I will have the ability to pull myself out of this horrendous anxious feeling based on the future.
Green: In my black stage, there is a glimmer of hope and I use the color of Islam, green, to remember Allah SWT in the midst of darkness. I reflect on Allah’s name المقتدر , The Omnipotent. This name means He has the power to accomplish, is capable, and can ordain and manifest whatever he wishes. I am humbled by Allah’s power and I realize I don't need to carry my burdens alone; my creator can change all things in an instant, so I seek his help and rely on him. I try to hold on to this color and fill my heart to keep my faith and belief in his presence and power.
Dark Blue: In the stage of having hope, I draw many paths to choose from in my challenging journey and try to decipher what’s right from wrong. I then decide to get unstuck by taking action and praying Istikhara. I use dark blue to signify God's authority and knowledge in the unseen; I might be narrow and only seeing things from my perspective, but I need Allah's help to give me what’s best in this life and the next.
Red: After I am guided through prayer to make my final decision on the issue I am stuck with, the answer to my Istikhara isn't without its challenges. I write difficulty in red because I am feeling the pain of my challenges and my mental state is muddied, just as the colors are on my canvas. There are glimpses of all the colors, black, green, dark blue, and red combined as this describes my fragility.
Sky Blue: Finally, after all the hardships, I use a different and new canvas from underneath the old one to signify my renewed state of my mind. Sky blue paint is as clear as the sky, I feel a renewed sense of clarity, acceptance, and sometimes I can see the reasons why God sent me on this path. In retrospect this path made me stronger as person generated a renewed faith in Allah’s wisdom and my confidence in facing these tests again. I live with knowing the end of the storm will bring calm and peace.