Saudi Arabia Leading GCC entries To Date in the 10th annual National Geographic Abu Dhabi & Almarai ‘Moments’ Photography Competition

UAE images captured oddly silent marketplaces in old Dubai and contrasting images of life outdoors and indoors

This year’s competition judging panel features Mohammed Muheisen, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner National Geographic photographer

‘Moments’, the Middle East and North Africa’s largest annual regional photography competition by National Geographic Abu Dhabi (NGAD) and Almarai, is receiving an overwhelming response from budding photographers across the MENA region – with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia dominating GCC submissions, followed closely by the UAE. 

Celebrating its tenth-year anniversary, ‘Moments’ has established itself as one of the largest photography competitions across the Middle East and North Africa, with the aim of supporting budding photographers from across the region and offering them exposure and the possibility to be discovered on such a prominent platform. 

This year’s competition judging panel features Mohammad Muheisen, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner National Geographic photographer and Hussam R. Abdulqader, CMO, Almarai.  

Submissions are still open and entrants can upload up to 10 images at natgeo-moment 

Saudi Arabia submissions currently account for over half of total GCC submissions to date, followed by the UAE, with nearly 26 percent and Oman coming in third place.  They are followed by Kuwait and Bahrain submissions, which are almost equal in size to date.

Running under the theme ‘2020 Moments - A Year Lived Differently’, this year’s competition has seen images submitted from mosques, homes, wedding ceremonies and popular vacation spots across KSA. In the ancient city of Al-Ula in the North, Saudi photography enthusiasts snapped pictures depicting the changed landscapes, and settlements in an area which dates back over 200,000 years. At Abha, in the Eastern Province, aspiring shutterbug Hamad recorded people enjoying a break and embracing the warmth of nature. In another picture, Hamza from the coastal Saudi province of Amlaj, known for its picturesque islands, charming beaches and great archaeological treasures, took a snapshot of a child, peeping through the window, perfectly capturing ‘Paused Moments 2020’.   

In the UAE, amateur photographers have documented their 2020 experiences across different Emirates. Chronicling the 2020’s ‘Inspired Moments’, some keen-eyed photographers used drones to offer a birds-eye-view of a distant farm while some caught the illuminating smiles of children -- with masks clearly dominating most of the pictures. While David Ojeda, captured the oddly silent streets and alleys in Bur Dubai as well as the contrasting images of life outdoors and indoors, Villanueva Ordona James showcased the grit and determination of people, and their interconnectedness even under the most testing circumstances. 

In Oman, ‘Postponed Moments 2020’ were unveiled through a series of photographs showing a deserted bridge and neighbors looking out for each other depicting a sense of oneness. Ramz Issa from the capital Muscat in Oman, caught children rollicking in their homes, spending time with their families. The photos of Jihad, from the northeastern city of Sur, renowned for its location as a sailing hub, showed people celebrating their unique culture wearing traditional Omani robes. 

In the Al Jahra town of Kuwait, Abdulrahman went behind his lens to capture glittering images of the Alqama Bin Qais Mosque, where worshippers can be seen exchanging wishes on the occasion of Eid Al Adha  while Yasamin portrayed how children are adapting themselves staying at home and spending more time with friends and families.

Almarai, the largest vertically integrated dairy company in the world and MENA's largest food production and distribution company, has been a strategic partner of National Geographic Abu Dhabi’s Moments Competition for the last 7 consecutive years, as part of a shared vision of nurturing youth and talent from across the Middle East and North Africa. 

Since its inception, ‘Moments’ has had over 250,000 entries submitted by passionate photographers, with the images submitted taking viewers on a rich, visual journey to the farthest corners of the Middle East and North Africa. 

To upload your photos and participate in the competition, please visit natgeo-moment website 

About National Geographic Abu Dhabi

National Geographic Abu Dhabi, the first free-to-air Arabic documentary channel, was established as the result of a partnership between Abu Dhabi Media and the National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) in 2009. National Geographic Abu Dhabi has provided viewers in the UAE and the Middle East with an opportunity to see the world through smart, innovative programing dubbed into Arabic. Its programing is smart and fact-based with an emphasis on popular science, technology, natural history, archaeology and natural mysteries.

National Geographic Abu Dhabi was awarded the ‘Best Arabic Language Media Award’ for 2015, in recognition of its commitment to the production of credible and authentic Arabic scientific and educational programs and content. It was also honored with the Arab Social Media Pioneers Award for the 2015 corporate environment category.

About National Geographic Partners

National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic Society and Disney, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivalled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Mundo, Nat Geo People) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of the world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 131 years, and now it is committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for consumers… all while reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month. NGP returns 27 percent of its proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. 

About the Moments photography competition

In 2010, National Geographic Abu Dhabi launched a photography competition in the Middle East and North Africa to bring forth the collective and rising talent of the growing photography culture in the region. The ‘Moments' Award was created, and participants were asked year after year to capture and inspire audiences and judges through a single image based on a chosen theme.

Since 2014 and for the fifth year in a row, Almarai, the GCC's leading dairy industry, has been a strategic partner, with the same vision of supporting Arab talent year on year, through a platform that has seen over 180,000 accumulated participants.