Premier Photo Walk: Through the Wilderness

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

وَفِي خَلْقِكُمْ وَمَا يَبُثُّ مِن دَابَّةٍ آيَاتٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ
And in your own creation, and in the creatures He scattered, are signs for people of firm faith. (45:4)

The Noble Quran encourages its readers and listeners to reflect on the signs and wisdom woven throughout Creation, particularly in the diverse forms of fauna inhabiting our world. These animals, a constant source of wonder, inspire meaningful reflection in those who encounter them. Wildlife photography, as an art form, captures animals in their natural habitats, making the inaccessible accessible for many. These images, showcasing creatures in their pristine environments, bear witness both to the splendour of nature and the ingenuity of human creativity. Photographs of wildlife serve as a powerful means to engage with the Quranic call to recognize the aayaat (signs) of the Almighty in His Creation.

RadiantArts, a platform for Dawoodi Bohra artists and photographers, proudly presents ‘Through the Wilderness’, a photographic exhibition celebrating the splendour of the wild and the kinship of all living beings. Inspired by the Epistle on Animals from the Rasa’il Ikhwan al-Safa’, the exhibition honours both artistic creativity and the sacredness of life.

The Epistle on Animals is a remarkable allegory in which animals present their case before the king of the jinn, debating the human beings’ claim to superiority. Far more than mere fable, the Epistle’s themes cover fields as diverse as zoology, ecology, theology and ethics, reminding us how animals embody virtues and traits worthy of respect. This exhibition visually celebrates that wisdom embodied in Maulana al-Imam Ahmed al-Mastur’s SA timeless epistle, encouraging viewers to seek benefit from its remarkable insights.

Through the creative lens of international Dawoodi Bohra photographers, the exhibition uncovers the raw beauty and drama of the wild. From the commanding presence of the lion, leopard, elephant, and rhinoceros to the precise movements of the kingfisher mid-hunt, and stags poised in quiet strength, the photographs celebrate the wilderness while urging reflection and responsibility. They lift the heart with wonder and call us to safeguard all forms of life that, together, symbolise the beating heart of the world we call home, and inspire viewers to instinctively proclaim:

فَتَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ
Most Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators. (23:14)