Photo of the Week: Abdulrahman Saleh

Abdulrahman Saleh is Saudi-raised and -based, originally from Somalia. His goal is to document common people's lives and stories of inspiration, with a specific interest in the lives and traditions of expatriate communities in Saudi Arabia. Saleh also won the Saleh Alazzaz Award for his photography in 2019.

In a previous interview, Saleh told SceneNowSaudi, “Once you start taking photos, I don’t think you ever stop. I’ll think I’ll be 60-years-old and still have a camera hanging around my neck.” Today, Saleh shares his favourite image with us for this edition of Photo of the Week, a striking image of pilgrims performing Umrah - this time not a wide shot; the photographer is as close to the Ka’aba as his subjects are.

Why did you choose this image?

A: This photo is a real moment of ‘crowd, desire, spirituality’ all in one frame. I chose to get very close to the action, so the viewer feels inside the moment, not just observing it from a distance. It makes the experience more intense.

What’s the story behind the photo? When and where was it taken?

A: This photograph captures a powerful moment from a Ramadan morning in 2017. A large group of pilgrims gathers tightly around the Kaaba, all moving toward one point, the Black Stone. Dressed in simple white ihram, their bodies press together, hands are raised, faces are focused and the movement of the crowd creates a sense of urgency.

The image reflects the greatness of the place and its deep spirituality. It shows how people come together with one purpose, expressing their faith in a very human and physical way.