Final Photography Project: Islamic Practice in Singapore

I just finished up my Intermediate Photography class at Objectifs last night (and have already signed up for 2 more courses & 2 workshops).  I'm obsessed.

Above is my final selection of photos for our student show (I obviously still need to blow-up the photos & mount).

To see the nice, high res photos in non-GIF form & write-up, read more.

Sultan Mosque, Singapore

Since the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, Islam has become synonymous with “terrorism” in much of the United States.  From Koran burnings to mosque protests, Americans have veered towards Islamophobia out of fear.  There are always extremists in any religious or political group that do not represent the whole; it’s important to separate the two.

As an American living abroad in Singapore, I wanted to explore Islam, without the lense of September 11th.  I observed and captured the religious practices at the Sultan Mosque on Arab Street -- the rituals, the families, the prayers, the architecture.  

Worldwide there are over 1.6 billion Muslims, living in places from China to France to South America.  They practice Islam, which means surrender, submission, safety and peace; they believe that, “the best richness is the richness of the soul.”

They give alms (zakat) to the needy.  

Pray (salah) to express gratitude.  

Fast to atone for past wrongs.  

All practices that can be seen as beautiful and human, regardless of your own beliefs.