Arif & Ali's Blog » Sufi Comics http://www.vakil.org thoughts on Spirituality, Productivity & Life Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:15:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Sufi Comics will launch an iPad app at Comic Con India 2012 http://www.vakil.org/2012/01/26/sufi-comics-will-launch-an-ipad-app-at-comic-con-india-2012/ http://www.vakil.org/2012/01/26/sufi-comics-will-launch-an-ipad-app-at-comic-con-india-2012/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:15:11 +0000 Mohammed Ali http://www.vakil.org/?p=1611

 

Sufi Comics will be participating at the annual Comic Con India that takes place on 17 to 19th of Feburary at Dilli Haat New Delhi.  Last year we launched the “40 Sufi Comics” at Comic Con Mumbai, this year we have a new launch, a Sufi Comics iPad app!  The Comics will be available in full color with sound and motion.  If you’re in Delhi during the middle of February do visit Comic-Con, we would be very happy to meet you!Similar Posts:

]]> http://www.vakil.org/2012/01/26/sufi-comics-will-launch-an-ipad-app-at-comic-con-india-2012/feed/ 2 Sufi Comics in French, German & Russian http://www.vakil.org/2012/01/26/sufi-comics-in-french-german-russian/ http://www.vakil.org/2012/01/26/sufi-comics-in-french-german-russian/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:59:42 +0000 Mohammed Ali http://www.vakil.org/?p=1601

Thanks to the wonderful readers around the world, Sufi Comics is now being translated into various languages.  We’ve already started putting up comics in French, German & Russian.  Click on the links to view the comics in the respective languages.   Special thanks to Raik Sabeel, Nurabdurashid & Mohammed Azim for translating the comics.

Would you like to share Sufi Comics with people who speak your native language?  Contact us to help translate Sufi Comics in your language.Similar Posts:

]]> http://www.vakil.org/2012/01/26/sufi-comics-in-french-german-russian/feed/ 0 A new home for Sufi Comics – www.SufiComics.com http://www.vakil.org/2011/12/24/a-new-home-for-sufi-comics-www-suficomics-com/ http://www.vakil.org/2011/12/24/a-new-home-for-sufi-comics-www-suficomics-com/#comments Sun, 25 Dec 2011 06:03:23 +0000 Mohammed Ali http://www.vakil.org/?p=1594

Sufi Comics started as an experiment 3 years ago on our blog, and Alhamdulliah a lot has happened during the last 3 years:

* Published a book: 40 Sufi Comics
* Comics are being translated in 4 languages… more languages coming soon
* Is used in Madrasahs around the world (including Canada, Australia, US, Africa, Pakistan, Dubai)
* Participation at Comic-Con Mumbai
* Working on Volume 2 of Sufi Comics
* Very shortly we’re releasing an app for the iPhone & iPad

With all the activity surrounding this project we felt it deserves a new home on the internet. Sufi Comic’s new official website is www.SufiComics.com ! Please subscribe to the RSS feed & Mailing List to receive the latest comics!

Thank you for all for your support and encouragement! :-)Similar Posts:

]]> http://www.vakil.org/2011/12/24/a-new-home-for-sufi-comics-www-suficomics-com/feed/ 1 Sufi Comics: Walking on Water http://www.vakil.org/2011/12/14/sufi-comics-walking-on-water/ http://www.vakil.org/2011/12/14/sufi-comics-walking-on-water/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:33:09 +0000 Mohammed Ali http://www.vakil.org/?p=1563 Sufi Comics: Walking on water

Sufi Comics: Walking on water

Hassan Al-Basri & Rabia Basri are two well known personalities who lived in Iraq during the 7th Century. I came across this beautiful story that I thought would make a wonderful comic.Similar Posts:

]]> http://www.vakil.org/2011/12/14/sufi-comics-walking-on-water/feed/ 4 Sufi Comics at Comic-Con Express Mumbai: Photos & Press http://www.vakil.org/2011/11/30/sufi-comics-at-comic-con-express-mumbai-photos-press/ http://www.vakil.org/2011/11/30/sufi-comics-at-comic-con-express-mumbai-photos-press/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:05:43 +0000 Mohammed Ali http://www.vakil.org/?p=1516 Since the time I’ve been working on Sufi Comics, I’ve been reading about Comic-Con conventiosn that take place in the US and Europe.  I used think how great it would be to have a Comic-Con in India, to showcase Indian comics that are unique in their own right.

Then earlier this year to my surprise I read in the papers that India organized their first Comic-Con in Delhi, and the next one was coming up in Mumbai.  In a way the timing was perfect ’cause “40 Sufi Comics” had just gotten released.  Arif didn’t waste any time in booking a stall and in Oct of 2011 we found ourselves behind a stall in Comic-Con Mumbai promoting “40 Sufi Comics”. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet Comic Artists & enthusiasts around the world.

Just by the sheer number of footfalls at the convention, one could see the rise in demand for Comics and Graphic Novels.  Comics are a very powerful medium and instead of just mere entertainment, I hope they are used for spreading positive messages to tackle the social issues our World faces.

“40 Sufi Comics” received a very warm welcome from visitors and the media. Our books got sold out, and many expressed their interest in future volumes.  We’re looking forward to participate in Comic-Con 2012!  Press clippings & Photographs below:

DNA – Mumbai

Hindustan Times – Mumbai
Marathi Paper – Mumbai

Photographs:
IMG_0281-1 IMG_0266 IMG_0263 IMG_0238 IMG_0236 IMG_0235 IMG_0211 IMG_0209 divya-marathi-8-nov-2011-s sufi-comics-hindustan-times-1 sufi-comics-DNA

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]]> http://www.vakil.org/2011/11/30/sufi-comics-at-comic-con-express-mumbai-photos-press/feed/ 1 Book Launch: 40 Sufi Comics at Comic-Con express Mumbai http://www.vakil.org/2011/10/08/book-launch-40-sufi-comics-at-comic-con-express-mumbai/ http://www.vakil.org/2011/10/08/book-launch-40-sufi-comics-at-comic-con-express-mumbai/#comments Sun, 09 Oct 2011 06:11:23 +0000 Mohammed Ali http://www.vakil.org/?p=1477 Sufi Comics at Comic Con Express Mumbai

Sufi Comics at Comic Con Express Mumbai

 

We’re pleased to announce that Sufi Comics will be participating as an exhibitor @ Comic Con Express Mumbai on the 22nd & 23rd of October.  We’ll also be doing an On-Stage book launch of “40 Sufi Comics” at 1:30 pm on 22nd October.  If you’re in Mumbai during this time, please drop by, we would love to meet you!

What is Comic Con Express?
Comic Con Express is the traveling version of the Indian Comic Con, the annual Comics Convention at Delhi. Comic Con Express was started with the aim of taking Comic Con to cities throughout India to support and boost the comics industry by increasing local interaction and participation. Visit: http://www.comicconindia.com

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]]> http://www.vakil.org/2011/10/08/book-launch-40-sufi-comics-at-comic-con-express-mumbai/feed/ 1 Sufi Comics: Hijab of the Eyes http://www.vakil.org/2011/10/04/sufi-comics-hijab-of-the-eyes/ http://www.vakil.org/2011/10/04/sufi-comics-hijab-of-the-eyes/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 06:27:29 +0000 Mohammed Ali http://www.vakil.org/?p=1447 Sufi Comics: Hijab of the Eyes

Sufi Comics: Hijab of the Eyes

We live in a world where modern man is seen as nothing more than a glorified animal whose purpose is to maximize his sensory & sensual pleasures. It’s a world where we’re constantly bombarded with images of sexuality, and lowering the Gaze has become uncool.

Is “seeing” nothing more than processing of photon particles? Is beauty only in the external world of form? The External world is just a tiny reflection of Real beauty. Real beauty lies is in recognition of the formless.

To recognize Real Beauty, one should be careful of what they see ’cause the Eye is a window to the Soul. What we see changes who we are, and who we are reflects what we choose to see.

“There is nothing more gainful than lowering one’s gaze, for the sight is not lowered from things, which Allah has forbidden unless the witnessing of majesty and glory has already come to the heart.” ~ Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (as).Similar Posts:

]]> http://www.vakil.org/2011/10/04/sufi-comics-hijab-of-the-eyes/feed/ 0 Sufi Comics: God’s Happiness http://www.vakil.org/2011/08/28/sufi-comics-gods-happiness/ http://www.vakil.org/2011/08/28/sufi-comics-gods-happiness/#comments Sun, 28 Aug 2011 11:48:04 +0000 Mohammed Ali http://www.vakil.org/?p=1436
Sufi Comics: God's Happiness
Sufi Comics: God’s Happiness

In this time’s comic I’ve tried something different. It contains no words other than the saying of the Imam. A similar saying has also been attributed to the Prophet (‘s), but I’ve not been able to find the exact words & reference.

This is the month of Ramadan. It is a month where we have been invited to be the guests of God. Instead of giving us food, He asks us to Fast, because it is an invitation to get close to Him. Just a few days are left and the month of Ramadan will come to an end. Let’s make the best use of these last few days by sincerely seeking his forgiveness, and seeking his help to improve ourselves for the better.

The Prophet (‘s) has said “Unfortunate is the person who is deprived of the forgiveness of God during this great month.”

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]]> http://www.vakil.org/2011/08/28/sufi-comics-gods-happiness/feed/ 5 Sufi Comics – Perhaps you know this Donkey http://www.vakil.org/2011/05/25/sufi-comics-perhaps-you-know-this-donkey/ http://www.vakil.org/2011/05/25/sufi-comics-perhaps-you-know-this-donkey/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 14:47:58 +0000 Mohammed Ali http://www.vakil.org/?p=1424  

Sufi Comics - Perhaps you know this donkey
Sufi Comics – Perhaps you know this donkey

“This is a Book full of Blessings that we have revealed unto you so people ponder upon its verses and men of intellect may reflect.” (Quran 38:29)

“Seek truth in meditation, not in moldy books.  Look in the sky, to find the moon, not in the pond.” – a Persian proverb.

I can’t help but recall the Killers of Imam Hussain (as) on the plains of Karbala.  It’s been narrated that some of the murders had memorised the entire Quran.  Memorised!  How many times they must have read the Quran to have it memorised.  Yet, they were urging their commander to start the battle early so that they could kill the Holy Imam and then offer their prayers.  The lesson is the same.  Reading may be first baby step towards enlightenment, but is useless without reflection.

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]]> http://www.vakil.org/2011/05/25/sufi-comics-perhaps-you-know-this-donkey/feed/ 6 40 Sufi Comics in the Media http://www.vakil.org/2011/05/18/40-sufi-comics-in-the-media/ http://www.vakil.org/2011/05/18/40-sufi-comics-in-the-media/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 15:45:43 +0000 Mohammed Ali http://www.vakil.org/?p=1405 In the last few month, the 40 Sufi Comics book was reviewed in the Media (Newspapers & Blogs). Thank you to all of you who took out the time! If any of you would like to write a review of the book on your Website or Print Media, get in touch with us with your address and we’ll ship you a free copy of the book anywhere in the World.

Television

IBN-TV, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania did a talkshow on Sufi Comics

 

Print Media

Marathi Newspaper Mumbai

Hindustan Times – Mumbai

DNA – Mumbai

Mid-day – Mumbai

http://www.mid-day.com/lifestyle/2011/oct/181011-Mumbai-guide-Life-in-a-comic-book.htm

 

The Hindu (Using Comics to explain Islam)


 

The Indian Express (Breaking the ice through comics)

 

Islamic Voice (Sufi Wisdom served with great elan)

Deccan Chronicle (Dervish duo’s comic relief)

Hindustan Times (Sufi stories in comic format)

 

Online Media

“Comics and graphic novels have come a long way. Once seen in India as a clever ploy to make children read history and mythology, it is now viewed as one of the coolest literary forms there is, with a steady following amongst the old and the young. Taking the form a step ahead, Bangalore based brothers Mohammed Ali Vakil and Mohammed Arif Vakil have complied 40 comic strips, titled 40 Sufi Comics, in the form of a book that visually depicts the teachings of Islam.”  Sufi Comics trying to help people understand Islam by Shweta Sharma

“Graphic novels have a cult-like following from the very young, to the academically wise. Who knew they could teach you spiritual, or Islamic life lessons?” Muslimness.com: Behind 40 Sufi Comics – India’s Muslim Blogging Brothers by Zaufishan Iqbal

“The art was beautiful, so the teachings. Each story taught a moral value, and had verses from the Qur’an and traditions with special notes from the artist. 40 Sufi Comics is actually a collection of illustrated eternal truths of life.” - Comic Addicts: Sufi Comics by Nishkarsh Chugh

“One of the great beauties of this work is its suitability for all audiences and ages. An 8-year-old child, a 55-year-old adult, or an open-minded non-Muslim – indeed almost anyone – will enjoy and benefit from this material.” - Islamic Insights: Sufi Comics Book Review by Diana Beatty

“The subjects that they have chosen include Love, Knowledge, Ethics, Spirituality, Mother, Prayer, God et al. Alongside, there are translations of relevant verses from the Quran and quotes from the Prophet and other teachers.” - Citizen News: Philosophy can be fun by Pushpa Achanta

“A short comic is a preferable medium these days for many to read and assimilate new subjects. One can go back to it as often as one wants because they are not boring, They convey esoteric philosophy in simple language and cartoons without compromising on content or quality.” - ChummaChumma: 40 Sufi Comics by Gopal S.

 

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