ABU DHABI, 10 October (BelTA - Emirates News Agency) - In a celebration
of artistry and cultural expression, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Centre has unveiled the “Dhay” Photography Competition, an artistic
extension of its internationally acclaimed “Spaces of Light” Award.
Held periodically, Spaces of Light has long served as a platform honouring art and creativity as a powerful medium for expressing noble human values.
In its first edition, Dhay embodies the Centre’s vision of fostering meaningful global connections with photographers worldwide - both seasoned professionals and emerging talents. The competition invites participants to submit images captured with cameras or mobile phones at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Fujairah, Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque - Al Ain, and Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque - Ras Al Khaimah.
Each lens becomes a window of interpretation, offering participants an opportunity to translate their creative perception into imagery that enriches the UAE’s cultural landscape with a universal spirit.
The inaugural edition of Dhay centres on the theme of Reflection, inviting photographers from across the world to explore its aesthetic and contemplative dimensions through their own perspectives.
Entrants are encouraged to craft images that resonate with the tranquillity and grace of these sacred spaces, revealing the dialogue between light and form that defines their architectural splendour. Reflective surfaces - water, glass, marble, metal, and mirrors — become the vocabulary through which artists express depth, emotion, and the beauty of human contemplation.
The Dhay competition continues the legacy of Spaces of Light, reaffirming the photograph’s role as one of the most direct and universal forms of communication - a universal medium that transcends borders, cultures, and languages.
It reflects the Centre’s steadfast commitment to nurturing creative and intellectual talent, empowering individuals to produce cultural and artistic works that echo the Grand Mosque’s message of peace, coexistence, and enlightenment.
Through innovative approaches that embrace modern technology, the initiative strengthens the Mosque’s leadership in promoting values and safeguarding Islamic cultural heritage in ways that resonate with contemporary audiences.
Over the years, the “Spaces of Light” Photography Award has evolved into a cultural landmark of international standing, attracting thousands of photographers - professionals and enthusiasts alike - from within the UAE and around the world.
To date, the award has welcomed more than 12,300 participants representing over 70 countries, who have collectively submitted around 30,000 works of art - a testament to its global reach and enduring influence.
Held periodically, Spaces of Light has long served as a platform honouring art and creativity as a powerful medium for expressing noble human values.
In its first edition, Dhay embodies the Centre’s vision of fostering meaningful global connections with photographers worldwide - both seasoned professionals and emerging talents. The competition invites participants to submit images captured with cameras or mobile phones at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - Fujairah, Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque - Al Ain, and Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque - Ras Al Khaimah.
Each lens becomes a window of interpretation, offering participants an opportunity to translate their creative perception into imagery that enriches the UAE’s cultural landscape with a universal spirit.
The inaugural edition of Dhay centres on the theme of Reflection, inviting photographers from across the world to explore its aesthetic and contemplative dimensions through their own perspectives.
Entrants are encouraged to craft images that resonate with the tranquillity and grace of these sacred spaces, revealing the dialogue between light and form that defines their architectural splendour. Reflective surfaces - water, glass, marble, metal, and mirrors — become the vocabulary through which artists express depth, emotion, and the beauty of human contemplation.
The Dhay competition continues the legacy of Spaces of Light, reaffirming the photograph’s role as one of the most direct and universal forms of communication - a universal medium that transcends borders, cultures, and languages.
It reflects the Centre’s steadfast commitment to nurturing creative and intellectual talent, empowering individuals to produce cultural and artistic works that echo the Grand Mosque’s message of peace, coexistence, and enlightenment.
Through innovative approaches that embrace modern technology, the initiative strengthens the Mosque’s leadership in promoting values and safeguarding Islamic cultural heritage in ways that resonate with contemporary audiences.
Over the years, the “Spaces of Light” Photography Award has evolved into a cultural landmark of international standing, attracting thousands of photographers - professionals and enthusiasts alike - from within the UAE and around the world.
To date, the award has welcomed more than 12,300 participants representing over 70 countries, who have collectively submitted around 30,000 works of art - a testament to its global reach and enduring influence.
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