Global Conference of the Birds 

Global Conference of the Birds is a contemporary visual retelling of Farid ud-Din Attar’s 12th-century Sufi poem, reimagined through the lens of spiritual awakening and ecological responsibility. Across eight monumental panels, Tanzanian artist Shafina Jaffer invites viewers into a journey of transformation—where birds, symbolic of the soul, traverse the seven valleys in search of the Simurgh, only to discover that what they seek lies within.

Painted on sustainably sourced bark cloth using turmeric, saffron, charcoal, and rainwater, the works are deeply rooted in nature. Jaffer incorporates eco-printing, Qur’anic calligraphy, and sacred geometry to explore the balance between Dīn(faith) and Dunyā (the world), and to honour the interconnectedness of all life.

This is not just an exhibition—it is a spiritual and environmental call to awareness. The birds are watching. Nature is speaking. Are we ready to listen?