Enter unto it engulfed in peace and security.
And do not despair of God’s mercy.
Ibrahim El-Salahi: This reminds me of the day I was taken to Cooper Prison and was faced with this gate—a huge gate. It was painted, but the color was fading away and chipped in certain spots. Above the gate there was a sign that said, “Enter unto it engulfed in peace and security. And do not despair of God’s mercy.” Whoever goes in there is already despairing of anything at all!
Publication excerpt from Ibrahim El-Salahi. Prison Notebook, 1976. The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2018.