Hand Painted Mural of Emancipation in Heights Neighborhood

Mural of Emancipation

The Mural of Emancipation is a powerful artistic representation of the struggle for freedom and equality that has characterized the history of African Americans in the United States. Located in the Historical Heights neighborhood of Houston, Texas, the mural was painted by artist Deborah Najiyyah and commissioned by Imam Basil Abdullah of the Masjid Taleem Muhammad.

Deborah Najiyyah is a talented artist and a 6th grade English teacher from Boston, Massachusetts. With 12 years of teaching experience, Deborah has always had a passion for the arts and has been seeking a way to reconnect with her artistic side. When Imam Basil posted on Facebook that he needed an artist to paint the mural of emancipation, Deborah's brother tagged her in the post, and she saw it as a sign to pursue her passion for art once again.

Working in 100-degree weather, Deborah spent several weeks painting the mural, which features powerful portraits of historical figures such as Wallace Fard Muhammad, Sojourner Truth, Joseph Cinqué, and Frederick Douglass. The mural also includes powerful images and symbols of the African American struggle for freedom, such as the chains of slavery being broken and the Underground Railroad.

The Mural of Emancipation is a powerful reminder of the struggles of the past and the ongoing fight for equality and justice in the present. It stands as a testament to the power of art to inspire and uplift, and it is a powerful symbol of the commitment of the Masjid Taleem Muhammad community to promoting unity, understanding, and peace.

If you would like to learn more about the Mural of Emancipation, please contact us through our website or visit us at the Masjid Taleem Muhammad. We welcome all inquiries and are always happy to share our community's story with others.