Sertac Sen, Ph.D. Candidate
Department of Anthropology
Turkey
Conversation is Essential, Haircut is Incidental
A horror encounter for the introvert, a cost-efficient therapy for others, barbershop talk is often more essential than a haircut in Turkey. Meet Barber Hasan and Aydın, chatting over coffee and cigarettes on a weekend afternoon.
Michelle Quay, Ph.D.
Lecturer in Persian Language
Marrakesh, Morocco
View of a Minaret
Located in the historic medina of Marrakesh, Morocco, as seen from the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a Quran school built in the 12 century AD.
Michelle Quay, Ph.D.
Lecturer in Persian Language
Giza, Egypt
Pyramids of Giza
Seen at night from the rooftop of El Hadaba Cafe in Giza, Egypt.
Michelle Quay, Ph.D.
Lecturer in Persian Language
Cairo, Egypt
Ottoman-style Mosque
Located not in the historic lands of the Ottoman Empire but in the heart of Old Cairo. Built in the 19th-century, the Muhammad Ali Pasha mosque has the unusual distinction of including a Western-style clocktower, adjacent to the fountain pictured here.
Mara Kessler ’23.5
Wadi Rum Preserve, Jordan
Sunset at Wadi Rum
Three camels in the distance traverse the wadi as the sun begins to set.
Mara Kessler ’23.5
Amman, Jordan
درج الكلحة | Daraj al-Kalha
The stairs are usually a bustling social scene: shopkeepers arguing over backgammon, musicians strumming the oud for passersby to sing along, young artists arming themselves with paintbrushes, and strangers trudging breathlessly up the staircase from downtown—their sticky hands balancing plates of syrupy knafeh while avoiding the feisty cats at their feet. In this rare instance of solitude, a street poet stands in the window of a popular artisan space.
Mara Kessler ’23.5
Amman, Jordan
View from the Citadel
View of Jabal al-Qusoor and the Raghadan Flagpole from the Amman Citadel. The Jordanian flag flies high above the outskirts of the Jabal al-Hussein Palestinian Refugee Camp—a potential metaphor for the complex dynamics of Jordanian society. Kites and pigeon flocks dot the sky.
Doha Maaty, MPH Candidate ’25
Cairo, Egypt
Pillars of Prayer
Description: Stucco artwork and carvings on the pillars and arches of the Ibn Tulun masjid in Al Khalifa in Cairo.
Dorra Guermazi ’24
Algiers, Algeria
Starlit Tranquility: Algiers Mosque Courtyard Through the Khatim
This image offers a glimpse into the heart of the Algiers Mosque courtyard, which is home to the world's tallest minaret in the world. Through the intricately carved stucco design of the 'khatim,' an exquisite eight-sided star pattern, the viewer is transported into a world of architectural wonder and spiritual resonance.
Dorra Guermazi ’24
Kairouan, Tunisia
Portal to Serenity: A Glimpse into Kairouan's Sacred Threshold
Captured in the heart of Kairouan, Tunisia, this photo showcases the entrance of a serene local mosque. The bicycle portrays one of the ways that people navigate the small, cobblestone streets while the vibrant orange door reflects the region's heritage. This tranquil scene invites one to embrace this timeless place of devotion and community.
Dorra Guermazi ’24
Amman, Jordan
Whispers of Time: Shared Gazes in Jordan's Streets
In the heart of Jordan, a contemplative moment unfolds. A seasoned vendor, his weathered face a map of stories, sits at his doorstep, indulging in a moment of respite while a street cat beside him grabs his attention. Amidst the souvenirs, an unexpected friendship emerges, a fleeting reminder of the threads that weave us all together.