Spectrums of the Two Holy Mosques: Suzan Eskander's Global Photographic Journey Brings the Spiritual Legacy of Islam to Jeddah

 By Dr. Sameera Aziz

Highlights from the acclaimed photography exhibition "Atyaf Al-Haramain" (Spectrums of the Two Holy Mosques) by renowned Saudi media professional and photographer Suzan Eskander in Jeddah. The collage features Dr. Sameera Aziz's visit to the exhibition, one of its most moving photographs portraying a Mutawwif bidding pilgrims farewell with the greeting "Eid Mubarak" after completing Hajj, and Suzan Eskander presenting her acclaimed photography book, which beautifully documents the spiritual, historical, artistic, and human dimensions of Islam's Two Holy Mosques and the Hajj journey.
Photo collage compiled by Dr. Sameera Aziz. - (Photographs courtesy of various sources, including  photographs by Dr. Sameera Aziz)

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The Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts (SASCA) in Jeddah hosted the acclaimed photography exhibition "Atyaf Al-Haramain" (Spectrums of the Two Holy Mosques) by renowned Saudi media professional and photographer Suzan Eskander. Through a compelling collection of images, the exhibition captures the spiritual essence, historical legacy, and architectural magnificence of Islam's holiest sites while reflecting Saudi Arabia's enduring message of peace, faith, and hospitality to the world.

The exhibition has attracted a large number of visitors, including Saudi citizens, expatriates, diplomats, artists, photographers and members of various international communities. Owing to the overwhelming public response, the exhibition, originally scheduled to conclude on June 20, was extended until July 4.

More than a photographic display, "Spectrums of the Two Holy Mosques" is the culmination of over two decades of dedicated documentation by Eskander, who has been recording the annual Hajj pilgrimage since 2003 and, since 2005, has been undertaking aerial photography of the Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites in cooperation with the Security Aviation of the Presidency of State Security, Saudi Arabia. Throughout her distinguished career, she has covered major local and international events, including the Makkah Summits, while representing Saudi Arabia at prominent photography festivals and conferences across the Arab world.

Speaking during the exhibition, Eskander revealed that the project was conceived in 2013, at a time when the Muslim world was reacting to an offensive film targeting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Following an invitation from the Fujairah Authority, facilitated by Engineer Mohammed Al Afkham, to organise a solo exhibition, she decided the project should convey an authentic Islamic and spiritual message.

To achieve this, she visited the home of the Al Shaibi family, the hereditary custodians of the Holy Kaaba's key, where she photographed the historic Key of the Holy Kaaba, the Kiswah, and the intricate craftsmanship involved in weaving and embroidering the sacred covering. These rare images became the foundation of the exhibition.

The exhibition debuted successfully in Fujairah before moving to Dubai Mall, where it continued to attract significant audiences. Since then, it has travelled extensively, reaching 57 countries and serving as a cultural bridge introducing millions of people to the story of Islam and the Two Holy Mosques.

Among the exhibition's most remarkable moments were the spiritual experiences witnessed during its international tours. Eskander recalled that, while exhibiting abroad, a visitor stood before one of her photographs and asked whether he could visit the sacred place depicted. Upon learning that entry to Makkah is reserved exclusively for Muslims, he immediately declared his desire to embrace Islam and recited the Shahadah inside the exhibition hall. Visitors gathered from the upper floors joined him in repeating the testimony of faith, creating what Eskander described as one of the most unforgettable moments of her career.

A similar experience occurred later that year during an international Islamic conference in Chicago, where an American conference director, deeply moved by a photograph depicting the 27th night of Ramadan, insisted on embracing Islam before that very image rather than elsewhere. For Eskander, these deeply personal experiences reaffirmed that the exhibition had evolved into a humanitarian and spiritual mission extending far beyond photography.

According to Eskander, 46 people have embraced Islam during the exhibition's journey across the world. Most recently, while accompanying activities surrounding the FIFA World Cup atmosphere in the United States through both the photographic exhibition and its accompanying book, more than 30 additional people reportedly embraced Islam through the efforts of American Islamic preacher Sami, with the final number still being confirmed.

The exhibition follows a carefully designed narrative that guides visitors through the origins of Islam. It begins at Jabal Al-Nour and Cave Hira, where Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received the first Divine Revelation through Angel Jibreel عليه السلام, before continuing through Al-Masjid Al-Haram, the Holy Kaaba, Madinah, the rites of Hajj, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's extensive expansion projects and services dedicated to the Guests of Allah.

One of the exhibition's most striking installations features a photographic composition illustrating the central position of the Holy Kaaba in relation to the Earth. Frequently mistaken by visitors for an artificial intelligence-generated image, Eskander explains that it is an authentic photographic composition created to illustrate the unique spiritual centrality of the Holy Kaaba.

The exhibition concludes with one of the pilgrimage's most emotional scenes—Eid Al Adha—depicting a Mutawwif warmly greeting pilgrims who have completed Hajj with the words, "Eid Mubarak." The scene reflects the deep emotional bond that often develops between pilgrims and their guides throughout their sacred journey, leaving many reluctant to part after fulfilling one of Islam's greatest acts of worship.

Beyond her photographic achievements, Suzan Eskander has conducted specialised photography workshops, served as a jury member for prestigious photography exhibitions, and is a founding member of the Media Professionals Club, the Saudi House of Photographers, and several professional media organisations. She is also a member of the Arab Union of Sports Photographers. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and exhibitions in Casablanca, while her landmark project "Spectrums of the Two Holy Mosques" was officially launched globally on Saudi Founding Day by Abdulkhaliq Al Zahrani, Director General of the Ministry of Media's Makkah Region Branch, under the slogan:

"From the Land of the Two Holy Mosques... to the World."

Eskander has also published a photographic book dedicated to the Two Holy Mosques and has participated in conferences and exhibitions in more than 40 countries, continuing to use photography as a powerful medium for intercultural dialogue, spiritual understanding and the promotion of Saudi Arabia's rich Islamic heritage.

As visitors leave the exhibition, they depart not only with memorable images but with a deeper appreciation of the spiritual journey of Islam, the sacred legacy of the Two Holy Mosques, and the Kingdom's enduring commitment to serving pilgrims from across the globe. Through "Spectrums of the Two Holy Mosques," Suzan Eskander has transformed documentary photography into a timeless visual narrative that transcends borders, languages and cultures, carrying the message of the Holy Cities from the heart of Saudi Arabia to the world.

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Highlights from the acclaimed photography exhibition "Atyaf Al-Haramain" (Spectrums of the Two Holy Mosques) by renowned Saudi media professional and photographer Suzan Eskander. The collage features former Government Advisor Raed Abdulrahman Al-Sulaiman presenting Suzan Eskander with a blessed piece of the Holy Kaaba's Kiswah in recognition of her outstanding artistic excellence and remarkable contribution to the exhibition. Also featured is Saudi media & businesswoman Dr. Sameera Aziz during her visit, alongside a selection of photographs reflecting the spiritual, historical, and architectural heritage of Islam's Two Holy Mosques. - (Photo collage compiled by Dr. Sameera Aziz. - Photographs courtesy of various sources, including photographs by Dr. Sameera Aziz.)