Regional photographers focus on the kaleidoscopic world of souqs
SHARJAH: National Geographic Abu Dhabi (NGAD) and Almarai have announced that ‘Moments’, the Middle East and North Africa’s annual regional photography competition, is atracting vast interest from the region in the submissions phase. In the GCC, Saudi Arabia is leading in terms of submissions followed by the UAE and then the rest of the Gulf. The competition is open with entries accepted till August 10, 2019.
‘Moments’ has established itself as one of the largest and most popular competitions in the region, providing talent with wide exposure and the unique chance to learn from National Geographic photography experts through a once in a lifetime photography travel expedition.
The competition is held in partnership with Almarai, who has been a strategic supporter of this platform for the last six years as part of a shared vision of nurturing youth and talent from the Middle East.
Under the theme of ‘Souqs of the Middle East’, the 2019 ‘Moments’ edition invites photographers from the region to capture the diversity and stories of markets from around the Arab world, which have been at the heart of the region’s culture and history.
Saudi photographers took a journey across
the Kingdom, revealing the diversity of markets in the different regions. At the Bab Makkah Souq in Jeddah, photographers’ lens captured fruits and vegetables merchants.
In Al Qaysariyah Souq in Al Ahsa, one of the oldest souks in the Eastern part of the Kingdom featuring a multitude of traditional Arabian Gulf garments, images captured agricultural products and tools, as well as a wide array of local incense and oud.
Pictures also captured the Tarout market in the ancient island of the same name, which lies to the Northeast of Dammam and is considered to be one of the earliest inhabited sites in the Arabian Gulf. Photographs captured markets in the Southern Cities of Jazan and Najran too, home to traditional markets of sesame and Janbiah dagger making.
Emirati photographers clicked the country’s marketofferingsacrossthenation:fromgenerationold coffee roasting methods in Sharjah market, to picturesque images of Dubai’s Old Souq, to Abu Dhabi market featuring classic Arabian Gulf boat-making. We also discover the fish markets in Fujairah and Khorfakkan, with images showing fresh fish captured by fishermen.
Some stunning souqs from the rest of the Gulf were also clicked. They included images of the traditional Nizwa souq in Oman featuring produce stalls, butcher shops, hunting equipment sellers and traditional date shops, as well as an ancient fort.
Bahrain images highlight the Muharraq souq, which displays a plethora of jewellery shops, spices vendors, coffee shops and offers visitors delicious Halwa, a traditional Arab confectionary. Meanwhile in Kuwait, photographers captured the ‘Birds Market’, which features a multitude of shops displaying different species of birds, including pigeons, canaries and parrots among others.
Almarai, the GCC›S leading dairy industry, has been a strategic partner of National Geographic Abu Dhabi’s ‘Moments’ competition since 2014 and for the sixth year in a row, with a shared vision and commitment to support Arab budding photographers, by offering them exposure and the possibility to be discovered on a platform that has seen over 200,000 accumulated participants.
Reflecting National Geographic and Almarai’s commitment to youth development, ‘Moments’ will feature a returning category this year for photographers aged 13-17.
For more information on how to submit and to view an extensive photo gallery of submited photos, visit www.natgeo-moments.com
National Geographic Abu Dhabi, the first free-to-air Arabic documentary channel, was established as the result of a partnership between Abu Dhabi Media and the National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) in 2009. It started broadcasting on July 1, 2009.
It has provided viewers in the UAE and the Middle East an opportunity to see the world through innovative programing dubbed into Arabic. Its programing is fact-based, with an emphasis on popular science, technology, natural history, archaeology and natural mysteries.
National Geographic Abu Dhabi was awarded the ‘Best Arabic Language Media Award’ for 2015 in recognition of its commitment to the production of credible and authentic Arabic scientific and educational programmes and content. It was also honoured with the Arab Social Media Pioneers Award for the 2015 corporate environment category.
It is the official Arabic language edition of the National Geographic Channel. The channel broadcasts via Arabsat Badr 6, Nilesat 102 and Nilesat 103. The channel is based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, but is aimed to be broadcast for a pan-arabian audience in the Middle East and North Africa.
It is solely available in Arabic, catering to the Arab world and audience. The channel features broadcasts of non-fictional, documentary series, all original National Geographic shows dubbed from English, including local productions specifically created for the region such as Mission Everest - The UAE Military Team, Megastructures: Louvre Abu Dhabi, Global Village and Every Emirati›s Son.
National Geographic Abu Dhabi is considered as a free alternative to the subscription variants offered and available via OSN and bein Network’s pay TV services. It is co-owned by the National Geographic Society/fox Networks Group and Abu Dhabi Media Company. The later is also responsible for launching the Arabic version of the National Geographic magazine.