United States of Islam $1 note, Caliphate Bank C

Serial number in this auction may vary from photo.



OBVERSE

This is the final addition to the controversial and satirical United States of Islam series. These moneyart prints were Stephen Barnwell's first "Oil Certificates," statements about our declining global oil economy and the rise of fundamentalism and extremism. The United States of Islam One Dollar notes examine freedom of speech, and how it is under threat by religious extremism.

The obverse of the One Dollar note is dedicated to the founder of Islam, Muhammad. Today's political Islam forbids the depiction of Muhammad, despite a long tradition of Islamic art showing his likeness. When images of Muhammad are shown in the West, there are riots and deaths across the globe: over 125 people died in riots over the cartoons published in the Danish newspaper, Jyllands Posten; Theo Van Gogh was murdered by an Islamist over a film he made critical of Islam; Salmon Rushdie is still living under the death threats of Islamic fatwas. Strict shari'a law is trying to be enforced around the world, as freedom of speech is under attack in the modern global jihad.

The reverse of the C Note depicts the stern visage of "Uncle Shhhham." Don't Ask, Don't Tell seems to have become public policy regarding Islam. Christianity and Judaism are regularly examined and debated in the media and public discourse, but Islam today has become off limits. To criticize Islam in any way brands you a "racist" by many, even though Islam is an ideology, not a race. Speech must never be silenced by intimidation or false victimhood. Freedom of speech includes the right to offend.

THE ARTIST