The Photography Journey cultural exchange program is back as part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture initiative, aiming to bridge the gap between nations through a deeper understanding of each other’s cultural heritage. This year’s theme, “The Fading Traditions of Morocco,” focuses on documenting endangered cultural practices in Morocco. Organized in collaboration with Tasweer Photo Festival and Generation Amazing Foundation, the program features Qatar-based photographers Jana Islam Almallah and Aisha Samir Alabdulla.
Jana Islam Almallah, a 19-year-old Youth Advocate for Generation Amazing Foundation and a student of communication at the University of Doha for Science and Technology, is passionate about both photography and sports. Teaming up with Aisha Samir Alabdulla, known for her work capturing Qatar’s civil servants, the duo is embarking on a journey to explore key cultural and heritage sites in Morocco. Through their lens, they aim to raise awareness about the importance of preserving Morocco’s cultural identity and history.
Excited about the opportunity to shed light on Morocco’s endangered traditions, Jana expressed her enthusiasm for the project. She sees it as a chance to play a role in preserving precious cultural practices that are at risk of disappearing. Aisha also shared her excitement, highlighting the privilege of capturing special moments and being part of such a valuable experience. The mentor guiding them through this journey is Khalifa Al Obaidly, a photographer, educator, and Director of Artist in Residence at Tasweer Photo Festival.
For Al Obaidly, photography is more than just capturing images—it’s about storytelling, preserving cultural heritage, and evoking emotions. He hopes to inspire the young photographers to use their art to celebrate the cultural heritage of both Morocco and Qatar, fostering lasting connections between the two nations. As the Photography Journey is the longest-running exchange program in the Years of Culture initiative, the photos captured during this cultural voyage will be showcased in public exhibitions in Qatar and Morocco, offering viewers a glimpse into Morocco’s fading traditions and the shared heritage of both nations.
