Unanswered prayer دعاء غير مستجاب
"Unanswered Prayer - دعاء غير مستجاب" is a deeply personal artwork that conveys a profound sense of inner conflict and the struggle for self-acceptance. The piece is a mix of three elements: three praying carpets, symbolizing religious devotion and tradition, and three pages from a letter that contain heartfelt prayers and pleas to God for a profound change.
The artist wrote these letters at the age of 17 when he was grappling with his own identity and the revelation that he was gay. It represents a pivotal moment in his life when he felt a profound shock and denial about his sexual orientation, yearning to be anything but gay. The artwork encapsulates the emotional turmoil and confusion the artist experienced during this period.
The three praying carpets, often used in Islamic worship, symbolize the artist's connection to their faith and culture at that time. They serve as a representation of their desire to conform to societal and religious expectations, seeking comfort in their religion in the face of his own internal struggle.
The three pages from the letter contain the artist's heartfelt prayers and desperate pleas to God. In these letters, the artist implores for a change in his identity, fervently wishing to become straight. The intensity of these prayers and the raw emotion expressed on the pages highlight the depth of the artist's inner struggle. When he was a child, he genuinely believed that by becoming straight, he could align with societal norms and be the person they believed they were expected to be. The artist emphasizes his innocence, affirming that he hasn’t hurt anyone and that he saw himself as a good person, reflecting his internal conflict.
The "دعاء مستجاب" translates to "Answered Prayer" in Arabic usually used to pray God for a need. It contrasts with the title of the artwork, "Unanswered Prayer - دعاء غير مستجاب," creating a poignant juxtaposition. While "Unanswered Prayer" represents the artist's past struggles and the longing for change and acceptance that went unfulfilled, "Answered Prayer" signifies the possibility of hope and resolution in the future.
The inclusion of « Answered Prayer - دعاء مستجاب" in the context of the artwork suggests the potential for a positive shift in the artist's journey, indicating that their prayers and pleas may eventually find acceptance and reconciliation, but still it’s nowhere to be found.
Credits
Hadi Moussally
2023
3 praying carpets & 3 pages letter
The Arabs Who Live in Me, 2026, solo exhibition, Institut d’Estudis Vallencs, Valls, Spain
Searching for lost time, 2023, solo exhibition, Candy Darling, Barcelona, Spain
Exhibitions