“Sabr at Fajr” 

By Saj Issa, 2025

“Sabr at Fajr” by Saj Issa explores the notions of patience, resilience, and cultural identity through the symbolic Sabr plant taking root in an ethereal landscape that evokes connections to both Los Angeles and the Middle East. In Islam, Sabr carries multiple meanings and dimensions, sharing the same root letters as Sabbaar, which means cactus, as well as virtue, endurance and patience. Like the plant itself, the Sabr embodies endurance, anticipating nourishment to grow and thrive.

The mural draws on the materiality and movement of culture through ceramic pots that reflect historical and cultural lineages present in Los Angeles. In the mural, translucent vessels float across the sky, representing the shared artistry of diverse cultures in Los Angeles. Their essence nourishes and purifies the arid earth below, with fresh water that represents spiritual dispensation, blending into the environment like the unseen presence of ancestral spirits. Among them is the amphora, once used for transport across the Mediterranean, standing as a testament to the interconnectedness of cultures and histories. Below, the terracotta pot holding the Sabr symbolizes the displacement of a native species from its land, cracking open just as the plant begins to take root.

Set at Fajr, the tranquil break of dawn, the mural captures a deeply spiritual moment. For Muslims, Fajr is a time to cultivate an isolated relationship with oneself and God, a magical hour of stillness, inner peace, reflection and renewal. It represents the moment the day takes a new page, as the sky transforms with the colors of dawn.

A crescent moon rises in the background crowning the Sabr’s flower, which represents spirituality, beauty, renewal, and the start of the new month, and a focus on the future. The Sabr bears five fruits, a poetic nod to the Five Pillars of Islam. Together, these elements create a powerful narrative of patience, spirituality, and the enduring connections between cultures, time, and place.

“Sabr at Fajr” is part of the LA vs Hate public art series that celebrates the diverse communities of Los Angeles County. LA vs Hate is a community-centered system designed to uplift residents and communities targeted by hate in Los Angeles County. “Sabr at Fajr” emerged from a series of community workshops where diverse voices came together through guided explorations of identity. This mural was made possible through a grant by the Los Angeles County’s Commission on Human Relations’ Measure B fund and through MuralColors’ Artist Residency Program.

The Islamic Center of Southern California has stood at the heart of Los Angeles since 1952, championing Islamic values, pluralism, and a socially responsible American Muslim identity. The bonds forged over the decades have shaped a resilient and engaged Muslim community—grounded in faith, committed to service, and dedicated to building bridges across faiths in pursuit of a more just society. Through its leadership and legacy, the Center has left an indelible mark on the civic and spiritual fabric of Los Angeles.