Muslims in America -- Photo Essay (Time Magazine)

Photographer Ziyah Gafic provides an intimate portrait of America's Islamic community.

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1725413,00.html

Granted, it's not the most... comprehensive photo essay (kinda more like 'Muslims in NY'), but it's nice regardless.

Ramadan 2009 @ The Big Picture

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/08/ramadan_2009.html


Phenomenal pictures, as always. You know, I've really never understood the desire to travel the world (no, seriously), but it's really starting to hit me lately. One day, inshaAllah?

"The Hajj and Eid al-Adha" Pictures (The Big Picture)

SubhanAllah! Really, some gorgeous pictures from Hajj and Eids from around he world.

Click here.

Yesterday marked the end of the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha, or "Feast of Sacrifice" - which also marks the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. One of the pillars of Islamic faith, the Hajj must be carried out at least once in their lifetime by any Muslim who has the ability to do so. This year, nearly 3 million Muslims made the Hajj, without major incident, and are now returning to their homes across the world. Muslims who stayed closer to home celebrated Eid al-Adha, commemorating the the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son to God. Traditional practices include ritual prayers, the sacrifice of animals (usually sheep), distribution of the meat amongst family, friends and the poor, and visiting with relatives.

This is really a fantastic site to subscribe to... I highly recommend it if you're not already stalking.

Sowar Magazine - Minute 22 Special Edition

People all around the Arab world took pictures at 2:22 PM for a project for Sowar Magazine.

Cool concept. Check it out here.

Observing Ramadan (The Big Picture)

I've been pushing this blog to anyone who enjoys photography -- they've got amazing photos, updated 3x a week. Definitely check them out if you get the chance.

In the meantime, enjoy their pictures of Ramadan from around the world :)
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Amazing Picture: Lightning Storm Engulfs Erupting Volcano

After 9,000 years of silence, Chile's Chaitén volcano erupts amid a lightning storm.

SubhanAllah. Gorgeous gorgeous pics

Photo Journal: Bridge House of Sierra Leone (BBC)

During Sierra Leone's brutal 1991 - 2002 civil war, dozens of people were executed on the Aberdeen Road bridge in the seaside capital, Freetown.

...

One Sierra Leonean man, Mohamed Bangura, found an entrance to a hollow in the bridge during the heat of the fighting.

Wow.

Matt Stuart

Matt Stuart shoots photos of visual puns and coincidences.

See here.

UPDATE: I forgot to include HOW to actually view the pics. After you click on one ("colour," "black & white" or "commissioned"), hit the left/right arrows on your keyboard to see more within that category.

Via Kottke

Lost Art's 2007 (and 2006) Year in Pictures

Self explanatory.

WARNING: Nudity.

Watch 2007 Here

I enjoyed the pictures towards the middle/end more than the ones near the beginning. It's renewed my convictions to visit:
- Brazil (specifically for the graffiti)
- Italy
- Spain

And since I never put it up, apparently, check out Lost Art's 2006 Year In Pictures as well. Made Egypt a MUST VISIT location. Jordan (in general) and Prague seem notable.

(Apparently, when I first posted, I was a little behind the times)