Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre Celebrates Winners of the 8th edition of Spaces of Light Photography Award

Over 12,000 Participants from More Than 70 Countries Worldwide Contributed Nearly 30,000 Artistic Works Across Eight Seasons 

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 26/Feb/2025 – The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre announced the winners of the 8th Edition of the ‘Spaces of Light Photography Award’, organized under the theme of “Peace,” during a prestigious ceremony held at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The event was attended by esteemed dignitaries, high-profile guests, and members of the community. 

His Excellency Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre and Patron of the event, presented the awards and commemorative shields to the winners representing nine countries: United Arab Emirates, Arab Republic of Egypt, State of Palestine, Republic of the Sudan, Republic of Slovenia, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Kenya, Republic of the Philippines, and Republic of India.The awards were distributed across four categories, with total prize money amounting to AED 850,000. 

Throughout its eight editions, the award has embodied the Centre's vision of building bridges of communication and fostering human values, driven by the belief that photography is a universal language capable of resonating deeply across cultures and communities worldwide. 

The theme of "Peace" for the 8th edition was chosen to visually capture the essence of peace, delivering the mosque’s cultural message with profound impact. This aligns with the United Arab Emirates’ pioneering role in promoting "Peace" as a way of life embraced by all communities. 

 

A Rich Cultural Legacy 

His Excellency Dr. Yousif Al Obaidli, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, stated, “The ‘Spaces of Light Photography Award’ has embodied the Centre’s mission of promoting the values of peace, tolerance, and coexistence since its inception. By using the universal language of photography, the award effectively communicates its message to people of all cultures and backgrounds, regardless of language barriers. 

The Centre has consistently encouraged creative minds and artists from around the world to present their artistic visions on peace, tolerance, coexistence, and mutual respect. This approach has elevated the award to an esteemed global status, resulting in a rich cultural legacy distinguished by profound artistic depth. 

The award’s successive editions have attracted over 12,300 participants from more than 70 countries, contributing nearly 30,000 artistic works. In its 8th edition, over 2,000 participants from more than 60 countries submitted 3,070 artistic works, further solidifying the award’s international acclaim.” 

 

Award Ceremony and AED 850,000 in Prizes 

In line with its mission to encourage creativity and enrich the cultural landscape of the UAE, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre allocated a total of AED 850,000 in generous financial prizes, along with gold, silver, and bronze shields presented to the winners during a special ceremony held at the mosque. 

In the Main Category: Mosques and Masjids, Anvaar Abdul Jabbar from Republic of India won the grand prize, while Wael Ansi from Arab Republic of Egypt secured second place. 

In the General Technical Photography Category, Saeed Nasouri from United Arab Emirates claimed first place, followed by Ahmed Badwan from State of Palestine in second place, and Salem Al Sawafi from United Arab Emirates in third place. 

In the Digital Art Category, Donnell Gumiran from Republic of the Philippines won first place, with Abdul Shakoor from Republic of India securing second place. 

In the Life at The Mosque Category, the awards were divided into three themes. 
In the first theme, Narratives, Yousif Musa Al Badi from Republic of the Sudan secured first place, followed by Aaron Tharakan from Republic of India in second place, and Mark Anthony from Republic of the Philippines in third place. 

In the second theme, Time-Lapse, Majed Al Junaibi from United Arab Emirates achieved first place, with Beno Saradzic from Republic of Slovenia taking second place, and Emmanuel Macharia from Republic of Kenya securing third place. 

In the third theme, Video Films, Maxim Petisor from Republic of Moldova won first place, followed by Russell Capanting from Republic of the Philippines in second place, and Salahuddin Ayyub from Republic of India in third place. 

 

Showcasing Artistic Excellence and Creativity Through Award-Winning Photography 

On the sidelines of the ceremony, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre organized an exhibition featuring the winning photographs from the 8th Edition of the ‘Spaces of Light Photography Award’, along with a selection of exceptional images and artistic works submitted by participants. The exhibition is displayed next to the Souq Al Jami’ Dome and will continue beyond the Eid Al Fitr holiday, offering visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds a unique opportunity to explore the creativity of photographers from around the world. 

This year, the award provided a platform for photographers to showcase their innovative visions through a variety of themes and an expansive geographical reach. In line with the religious role of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, the main category of the award was titled “Mosques and Masjids”, through which photographers expressed the concept of peace in its diverse forms and manifestations within mosques around the world. 

The award also included several other categories, including “General Technical Photography”, “Digital Art”, and “Life at the Mosque”, which was further divided into three subthemes: “Narratives”, “Time-Lapse”, and “Video Films.” 

 

Cultural and Artistic Workshops 

Reflecting its cultural vision, the award was enriched with eight cultural and artistic workshops, conducted by professionals and photography experts who shared insights on the award's core messages and the effective use of photography techniques to express them. The workshops attracted both professional photographers and enthusiasts. 

Among the notable sessions were workshops led by Jassim Al Awadhi, Hanaa Kurdistani, Mubarak Mohamed Ali, Andrew Marty, Cesar Barocco, and Marc Curativo held at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque in Al Ain, and Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai. 

 

 

Mobile Exhibition 

During its year-long journey, the ‘Spaces of Light Photography Award’ reinforced its cultural message through an accompanying mobile exhibition that showcased 32 outstanding photographs from previous editions. The exhibition toured 10 different locations to expand the award’s reach, including the World Media Congress, Manarat Al Saadiyat, National Archives and Library, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, Erth Hotel, 06 Mall, Galleria Mall, Emirates Palace, and the Souq Al Jami’. 

Publications Celebrating Islamic Architecture and Art 

The award’s previous editions resulted in a rich collection of exceptional photographs that capture the magnificence of Islamic architecture and its artistic heritage through the ages. The photographs also convey profound cultural messages and universal values, which the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre documented in its publications accompanying the award seasons. 

These include three editions titled ‘Spaces of Light,’ with the latest titled ‘Lights of Peace.’ 

The Centre invited photographers and artists to submit their works through the official website: https://photo.szgmc.ae/.  

Since its inception in 2011, the ‘Spaces of Light Photography Award’ has attracted a vast number of professional photographers and enthusiasts from around the world, earning it a prestigious international reputation and enabling it to effectively convey the cultural message of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.