Salem Sarhan, age 27, becomes first Emirati to win competition in its ten-year history

Salem’s winning image captures his brothers performing their devotion at home, following the closure of places of worship during the pandemic

The two runner-up entries depict a Palestinian barber cutting relatives’ and neighbors’ hair in the street, and a calligrapher in Jordan working alone after the pandemic closes his shop

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 1 February 2021 – National Geographic Abu Dhabi (NGAD) and Almarai announced today the winner of the 10th annual ‘Moments’ competition, one of the largest photography competitions across the Middle East and North Africa, designed to nurture the talents of aspiring photographers. 

Salem Sarhan, age 27, from Al Ain, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, was named the winner of this year’s competition, in recognition of his talent and creative interpretation of this year’s theme of ‘2020 Moments - A Year Lived Differently.’ His image captures his brothers performing their devotion at home, following the temporary closure of the places of worship, due to the pandemic. 

‘Moments’ judge two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and National Geographic photographer 
 Mohammad Muheisen was drawn to the image’s portrayal of a tradition lived differently during the pandemic. He also praised the quality and color composition of the image.

Salem will have his photograph released in the National Geographic Alarabiya Magazine, and receive $10,000 worth of professional photography equipment. 

In second place, Ahmed Alazzam, age 29, from Jordan, photographed Jordanian Calligrapher Mr. Mohamed Hendy, who has practiced calligraphy since the 1950’s. In the photo, Mohamed is enjoying his craft alone after the pandemic closed his workshop. 

In third place, Palestinian Samar Abu Elouf, age 36, captured the image of a barber, Sameh, cutting the hair of relatives and neighbors in the middle of the street. 

Marking its tenth anniversary in 2020, National Geographic Abu Dhabi’s ‘Moments’ competition has attracted over 275,000 entries over the last decade from across the region, making it one of the largest photography competitions of its kind. It was held for the tenth year in 2020, and the eighth consecutive year in partnership with Almarai, the largest vertically integrated dairy company in the world and MENA's largest food production and distribution company. 
The company has been a strategic partner of National Geographic Abu Dhabi and the ‘Moments’ Competition since 2014, with a shared vision and commitment to support Arab budding photographers, through offering them exposure and the possibility to be discovered on such a prominent platform.