At first glance, religion may seem like a set of beliefs that preach certain acts of worship. With a deeper glance inside religion, one can see that it is a system that has undeniable impact and is intertwined with almost every aspect of our lives: traditions, cultures, politics, economies, and more. However, what is often missed in our public discussions and personal conversations is the impact religion has on the way we view ourselves and the rest of the world — religion provides us, like any belief system, with lens that helps us make sense of ourselves and our surroundings. Even if this angle is discussed, it is assumed that our lenses are identical. This approach then neglects that each person has a different experience and relationship with religion, suggesting that those who embrace one religion, for example, are a monolith. And that is not the case.
Earlier this year, we asked creatives across Saudi to reflect on religion. We invited them to share with us how they understand and navigate it; how they view it impacting their relationships with themselves and their communities; and how they make sense of it as both and individual and collective experience. The submissions we have received beautifully illustrate different approaches and insights to these prompts. Each one of them required bravery as it demanded their contributes to delve into topics that are usually unspeakable.
We begin the issue with an interview with Mohammad Alfaraj, a creative whose practice combines film, photography, and writing. He shares with us stories from his upbringing in Al Ahsaa, including how his passion for the camera was ignited through documenting religious ceremonies in his village. We then move to visuals that range from performance art and traditional to photography and collaging, as well as text that range from poetry to articles. Each visual and piece presents a special insight and story into a different angle of religion, whether it’s from the mosques of Makkah, the palm farms of Qassim, or alleys of Qatif.
We are grateful for all the creatives who shared pieces of themselves with the rest of the world on our platform — this issue wouldn’t be possible without each and every one of them. We hope that their work prompts you to think and reflect on what your answers would be to these questions about religion. We also hope it brings you comfort and company and, maybe, answers that you have been looking for everywhere.
