Rawiya • the first female photo collective of the Middle East

Can you tell me how you all met? 

"We are all friends and colleagues who met in various junctures associated with the tribe that photographers move in. Whether initially crossing paths during various hard news events or socially. Despite at times bleak and Orwellian measures traveling between certain regional countries…. photographers tend to find ways to over step them, whether working on long-term projects or on a hard news assignment. So both our friendships and work relationships straddle many cities…Amman, Beirut, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Dubai, Cairo…and many major news events. The Israel war on Lebanon in 2006 was one of the definitive moments that brought a lot of photographers together of our generation from region.

So Rawiya began with friendships but also intimate knowledge and respect for each other's works. What was fascinating was the way the fruition of Rawiya became. Ideas and conversations in cafes and bars with a theory…and then earnest Skype conversations from Tehran, Beirut, Jerusalem, and Sarajevo. This is how Rawiya was born. Two of our fellow founders have gone on to continue dynamic solo careers and we miss them. (Dalia Khamissy and Newsha Tavakolian). But the way that we were born has also been one of the greatest difficulties in keeping Rawiya alive. There are times that various time zones (some of us are based partially in NYC and Sarajevo) and difficulty in physically meeting can threaten the tangibility of Rawiya. But we have a new impetus and have finally found a way of tackling organizationally some of the issues that kept us quiet for a couple of years. I mean—with a lack of tangibly meeting …. it can sometimes feel like a "holy ghost". Photographers often n eed a tangible sense for inspiration…. sight and smell and energy". Tanya Habjouqa

Where did your interest in photography begin? 

"If you ask each of us individually, we will all have different answers. It really is a diverse group of photographers. For me, I began as a writer, my first job at the Jordan Times in Amman. I still consider myself a writer, and indeed see us as storytellers with various mediums…. not solely as photographers. My Jordanian and Texan background utilizes a lot of rich stories, narratives, folklore, black humor…and hospitality. As well as darker sides of society that are often misinterpreted by media and utilized to paint entire populations. So for me—photography (and storytelling in general) was always a way to push back against stereotypes and explore social issues. My definitive learning experience came working for an alternative paper in Texas, on an assignment covering a Black community that had fallen out of the tax brackets of surrounding municipalities and were living in shocking poverty (some had no running water. In 2000). But it was about how to go beyond the "sh ocking poverty" and tell the story anew with urgency but dignity". Tanya Habjouqa

"I have a background in graphic design and moved to Dubai, UAE in early 2005 where I began my photography career at Reuters News Agency.

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Living in a place like Dubai, with all its over the top glitz and opulence on one side, and migrant workers who basically build the city on the other side, really spoke to the documentarian in me and so it was there that I really understood the importance of documenting social issues, tackling underrepresented communities and misrepresentation in the region". Tamara Abdul Hadi

"I've always been interested in the art world, more than science. My parents, both being academics, only encouraged me to see art as a hobby. I ventured into literature and linguistics as a major for my undergrad and Sociolinguistics and anthropological studies for my Masters. Years later, whilst I was an English language lecturer in Bahrain. I started posting images on social media. Fast forward a couple of years later, I quit my teaching job and decided to focus on documenting weddings, and also cover topics that I thought was personally rewarding that discussed gender and social issues in the Arabian Gulf region especially. Perhaps in my photography, I may subconsciously select women around me who are constantly challenging their religious and societal environment".

How long has the collective been going on?

"We began in 2009".

As the first female photo collective of the Middle East, did you come across any challenges or oppressions? How did you overcome these challenges? [It would be great if you could talk about some specific experiences here]. 

"No. That was always a question we faced from media, and we always answered same way. There was no challenge specifically because we were women in Middle East. On contrary it probably helped us gain access to a multitude of stories. If anything, banding together as female photographers helped us gain attention and platforms. Partially because there are a lot of stereotypes and misinformation about the role of women in Arab society. It is far more diverse society (ies) than people assume. And there are secular pockets. Rawiya is comprised of vast ethnic and national backgrounds…but we are all staunchly secular with deep respect for the various faiths and communities we have been raised with. There is no denying there are egregious human rights issues (for men and women) across the region, and specifically issues women face in hypocritical legislation and (in cases) cultural treatment. But there are also fiercely independent, beautiful, successful women making strides. And women (and men) working to protect women's rights". Tanya Habjouqa

 As a collective, what do you want your images to say to the world? What is your mission with your work? 

"We want to say "Put aside your pre-conceived notions, come and take a closer look at our region". I mostly think that we want to show the people we visualize through our images as HUMAN, side by side with the social and political aspects of our region. Our work touches on various social and political issues such as gender issues, education, occupation and child labor and we hope to be able to bring about an alternative visual representation of the societies that we live in". Tamara Abdul Hadi

I read that you want to reflect social and political issues and stereotypes – do you feel that the mainstream media is failing to do this in a constructive and forward-thinking way? 

"Perpetuating stereotypes and lacking nuance and context is a critical issue in media coverage of Middle East. One thing we joke as a collective is that we will leap off a building the next time a piece is titled "Beyond the Veil." The stereotyping and Orientalizing of women is one major problem. There is also reason to believe that Western media (unwittingly) played a role in perpetuating a divide after the US invasion of Iraq along the Sunni / Shiite divides, which was not part of our dialogue so pronounced prior. This has led to grave geo political shifts". Tanya habjouqa

What have been your highlights? Were there any specific experiences that you remember fondly? 

"Our collective's exhibitions thus far have brought us to Sweden, the UK, Kuwait, Lebanon and the US. Being able to showcase our work together and talk about the issues we worked on through the medium of photography to people around the world has been incredible". Tamara Abdul Hadi

What have you learnt in your time with the collective? Does it allow for support for each other? Do you inspire each other? 

"Absolutely. For my most intense project to date, which led to both a World Press Photo and a book that has been critically acclaimed…I bounced ideas and edits off of my Rawiya colleagues. During periods of uncertainty with projects or ideas, we give each other critiques and support. Brutally honest at times, which is what is needed. I think we see it as an honor when anyone of us asks another's opinion. And, beyond just friendship. I have a deep respect for the work that my colleagues produce. In countless lectures and teaching opportunities, I refer to their work in covering critical gender, social, and political issues". Tanya Habjouqa

Your last exhibition was last month, what else is new? Can we look forward to any more exhibitions? 

"Absolutely, many exciting changes at Rawiya Photos, we just completed a our first NY show and panel that we all were physically present for and also completed teaching a visual narrative story telling workshop in Gaza in conjunction with World Press and AFAC….another infusion of spirit comes with the addition of Saudi photographer Tasneem Alsultan. Her latest project "Saudi Love Tales" takes a nuanced understanding of the women she photographs in her role as wedding photographer into a rich engagement of her society. She is both respectful to the women she photographs, while critical of restrictive legislation women face in the Kingdom. So we are hoping to continue onwards and upwards". Tanya Habjouqa

What advice would you give to young girls wanting to follow in a similar path to you? 

"Many of us (Rawiya) work in education, myself included. I am now entering my third year as mentor on the groundbreaking education program by Magnum Foundation, Prince Clause Foundation, and AFAC's "Arab Documentary Photography Program", fostering growth of long-term documentary projects from emerging photographers across Arab world. That's where I met and mentored Tasneem Alsultan, and after completing her six month grant we asked her to join Rawiya. We nominate for institutions like World Press Joop and British Journal of Photographer, supporting photographers in our region. Individually, we are approached constantly by emerging and aspiring photogs on how to successfully work and narrate strong material. We believe strongly in raising the profile of photography and our photographers from region. In a place with a rich history of having our stories told by others, of orientalism, of often lacking in context and nuanced news coverage. This is essential. We work closely with men and women. We want a rich documentary center and photographers in our region. If we have served as a point of reference for young women who maybe feel more empowered to enter this profession…that is amazing. And we are accessible". Tanya Habjouqa

"We have been mentors (on and off professional capacities) with many young photographers in the region and beyond. I work with the Arab Digital Expression Foundation (ADEF) every summer at their media and art camps and have taught photography to young Palestinian women during an UNRWA program in Ramallah in 2010/2011.

We often get emails from young photographers, and try our best to give them direction while at the same time trying to hone their own personal aspirations and talent. As in any teaching dynamic, both sides learn from each other which is the essence of true collaboration". Tamara Abdul Hadi

Source: Rawiya • the first female photo collective of the Middle East