In March 2007 eight children and a woman were tragically killed when a blaze ripped through their house.  | | Mohammed Ali |
Mohammed had been invited to take his work to the US and, in between trips to Chicago and Boston, stopped by New York to pay his respects to those who'd lost their lives. He kept a journal on his travels and in the extracts below, tells us about the experience of being in the Bronx. Spiritual Graffiti in the USA, an emotional roller-coaster rideWhen I heard about the Bronx Fire, I just felt like I needed to do something. Those nine kids that died were like my family; my brothers and sisters in humanity. So it just made perfect sense that when I paint in New York, I paint for them; I paint for the community here. I want this mural to serve as a reminder for all - that life is precious.  | | The Bronx - site of Mohammed's work |
Today, God has answered our prayers: the rain has stopped and the sun is out. Before I begin to paint, I stop to say a little prayer myself. I've never done a wall that has such a powerful message before. I ask God to bless the building, and bless me with the ability to paint today. A crowd forms as I begin my work; there's quite a buzz. Various members of the media turn up too - it's great that this memorable occasion is being documented. The Bronx | | Mohammed paints a local's skateboard |
I was worried about how I would be received here in the Bronx neighbourhood. Would people see me as an outsider from England doing a wall in 'their' territory? Any fears I had though prove unfounded – I seem to connect with all the locals who drop by to see what I'm doing. I let them all get involved - I want them to have a sense of ownership, and after all, this is their neighbourhood, not mine. They even pledge that they will make sure that in the future nobody paints over this wall and I honestly feel confident that no one ever will, God willing! Community | | The NY media watch Mohammed at work |
A documentary is running this week on CNN featuring the work that I do in the UK – and a lot of passing kids actually recognise me from it. A great cross-section of people come by to see the wall. From Muslim women wearing head-scarves, to local Bronx kids, to latino kids, to regular Americans in their 60s, this is just what we need: a coming together. Just like the Bronx fire united the local community, this mural is about Art bringing the community together and speaking a universal language. Names | | Mohammed chats to some local kids |
Near the end of completion and I begin to write the names of those that died, with the surviving families standing around me. One by one, I write each name. This is a truly emotional time for me and everyone around me. Never in my life have I ever sprayed graffiti whilst simultaneously trying to hold back the tears. Never have I experienced something as powerful as this. I am spraying each name, and I hear and feel the emotion around me, as it actually hits home to everyone what we are doing here this day. Yes it's a great vibe, it's a great bit of art on a wall - but it was at this point we realise that commemorating the lives of those killed in the Bronx fire is what today is really all about.  | | Mohammed begins work on the names |
I am blown away to witness the strength of this family who lost their children. The mother steps forward to contribute, and then one by one they all step forward to assist in spraying. They all want to have a part. Love this townIt has been really cool to connect with people from the graffiti scene. Just to have bit of an insight into the lives of regular New Yorkers has been enlightening, and the chance to share my work with them has been so rewarding. I was always curious about how my work would be received here.  | | Mohammed at the memorial site |
I feel I have taken an art form that originated in one culture, found its way to Europe and brought it back home, all via this Islamic trip. It's been a pleasure to be here in New York. | 
