In an insightful essay, cultural critic and curator Negar Azimi discusses the challenges faced by photographers in the Arab Middle East, where "taswir" (picture making) is often viewed as prohibited by Muslim law, leading to the adage "mamnous el taswir" (forbidden to photograph) that permeates the photographer's experience. This context enriches the unprecedented collection showcasing the Arab world through the lenses of 56 Arab and Western photographers, making it a unique survey. Western audiences will discover multiple generations of male and female photographers who have remained largely unknown outside the region. Originally created for the acclaimed "Nazar" exhibition at the Noorderlicht Festival in the Netherlands, this compilation represents the largest display of Arab photographs ever shown in the West. Spanning documentary and fine art photography from North Africa to Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Syria, and Saudi Arabia, the book unveils a world often hidden from view. Notable contributions include Nadia Benchallal's black-and-white portraits reflecting the Algerian-French experience and Randa Shaath's documentation of a shadow society of rooftop dwellers in Cairo. "Nazar," meaning "seeing, insight, reflection" in Arabic, challenges stereotypes and reveals the intricate realities of Arab life often overlooked in mainstream media.
