Exhibition of Hajj rituals by photographer Nada Zein Eldien. Photo courtesy of Amira Noshokaty.
Last weekend, talented photographer, conservator, and GIS and GPS specialist Nada Zein Eldein opened a photo exhibition documenting the rituals and spiritual journey of Hajj.
Eliaka Nolabi, or "Responding to Your Divine Call," is the name of her photo exhibition, which starts from the main entrance of Takiyyat Musafir, a cultural centre in the heart of Historic Cairo that Nada Zein Eldein co-founded.
Following Egyptian Hajj traditions, Nada Zein Eldein began with Hajj graffiti decorating the main entrance of the historic Neo-Islamic building. As customary, the graffiti features paintings of the Holy Kaaba and the Prophet Muhammad's Mosque.
This tradition is usually a sign of great joy, marking the home of a returning pilgrim, and often includes the means of transport the pilgrim used to reach Mecca, whether by camel, boat, or aeroplane.
In Egypt, the Hajj season has traditionally been accompanied by Hajj chants and songs, as well as the making of the Keswet Al Kaaba (Kaaba Cover) and the Mahmal (the camel that carried the Keswa) procession, which was an annual Egyptian national festival.
On the second floor of the Neo-Islamic building, overlooking the majestic site of Al-Rifaai and Sultan Hassan mosques, two exhibition rooms are dedicated to the gallery.
“We stayed for a month. I wanted to document the journey for those who might not be able to perform Hajj; at least they can see it and experience it in their hearts," Nada Zein Eldein told Ahram Online.
Being a restorer, GIS, and GPS specialist gave Nada's photographs a different perspective. She divided the exhibition into photos documenting the rituals and other photographs taken from a distance to preserve the privacy of pilgrims while capturing moments of meditation in the presence of Allah.
The gallery also included sites that are usually seen only on national television during the Hajj season.
Ghar Hiraa
The photos trace places of spiritual significance, such as Ghar Hiraa, where Prophet Muhammad received the first verse of the Quran, Iqraa ("Read").
There are also photos from Mount Arafat, where Nada attended the Hajj sermon at Namira Mosque. She also captured the mosque built at Al-Mashaar Al-Haram and displayed a framed piece of the old Keswa of the Kaaba.
Abyar Ali
"You see, they built a mosque wherever Prophet Muhammad prayed during the Hajj," she explained, adding that one of the sites she had never seen before was Abyar Ali ("The Wells of Ali").
“Ali was a Sudanese man who found out that there was not enough water for the pilgrims at the gathering point and the beginning of the Hajj journey. So, he dug several wells, and people followed his footsteps to ensure enough water. That was in the 1800s, hence the name of the first Hajj assembly point, Abyar Ali,” she added.
The exhibition also includes photos of the stay in Al-Muzdalifah, where people rest in the open air, with rich and poor side by side.
The photo exhibition offers a unique spiritual journey, evoking tranquillity and peace among its visitors.
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