PHOTOGRAPHY ‘Mosques’ Winners Announced for HIPA’s Instagram Photo Contest

A total of five winners were announced for the competition which received submissions under the hashtag #HIPAContest_Mosques. The contest winners hailed from; Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Turkey respectively. For the second month in succession, HIPA also awarded a ‘People’s Choice Award’ to one of the winners who happened to receive the most Instagram likes for their winning submission. This month’s ‘People’s Choice Award’ winner will receive a Nikon D7200 SLR Camera, presented by Nikon Middle East and Africa.

HIPA Secretary General, His Excellency Ali bin Thalith said, “Mosques are considered to be some of the most unique architectural marvels known to man. They evoke a sense of spirituality and nostalgia in people that visit them, be it worshippers there to perform prayers or tourists visiting to appreciate their beauty. Likewise, mosques are not restricted to a single design or style but are developed uniquely by different cultures and nations around the world, adding to the intrigue behind these beautiful places of worship. With all this in mind, we set out a challenge to our photography community to reflect mosques in the most creative and unique ways possible. The results have been outstanding and we wish to congratulate our June winners for their hard work and commitment.”

Iranian winner, Fayaz Bahram @fayazbahram, who also picked up the ‘People’s Choice Award’ for receiving the most number of Instagram likes on his winning photograph (6,735 Likes) said, “I captured my photograph during an assignment in my native country of Iran. The unique architecture of the location of the assignment, a religious landmark, fascinated me to the point that I forgot about my original assignment and began to photograph the place of worship instead. The inspiration from within the mosque helped me produce some of the finest photographs I have ever captured and I am very satisfied with that. For me, arts and photography are preoccupations that I use to get away from some of the difficulties I face in my everyday life. This win will no doubt spur me on to seek further success in HIPA’s main competition and other international photo contests.”

Another June winner, Siraj Alquraish @ siraj_alquraish from Saudi Arabia remarked, “During the holy month of Ramadan, and during a visit to a local mosque in the city of Safwa in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, I caught a glimpse of a beautiful image which I figured must be photographed. The symmetry inside the old mosque inspired me to shoot as many photographs as possible and showcase the spirituality encapsulated within its walls. I was confident that my winning photograph would become a winner in the HIPA Instagram Photo Contest due to what I felt was its unique beauty and charm, and thankfully my confidence was proven right. I would like to thank HIPA for this opportunity and hope to compete in future editions of the Instagram Photo Contest.”

Winners

Esam Omar Kabli, Saudi Arabia

Esam Omar Kabli, Saudi Arabia / Courtesy of HIPA

Fayaz Bahram, Iran

Fayaz Bahram, Iran / Courtesy of HIPA

Hasan Ilkay Özduman, Turkey

Hasan Ilkay Özduman, Turkey / Courtesy of HIPA

Ihab Fayad, Lebanon

Ihab Fayad, Lebanon / Courtesy of HIPA

Siraj Basheer Alquraish, Saudi Arabia

Siraj Basheer Alquraish, Saudi Arabia / Courtesy of HIPA