Pictures

Impressions from Saydnaya, Syria

A cell at the Monastery of Our Lady of Saydnaya. Pilgrims are allowed to stay here for one or two nights. Many hope to experience a meaningful dream – or even a miraculous apparition.

A steep staircase leads from the village up to the monastery. Along the way, visitors pass an oil stain in the shape of the Virgin Mary, which pilgrims touch and kiss.

The monastery is also home to an orphanage for girls – most of the nuns came here as children. The girls take part in many of the monastery's celebrations and prayers.

The entrance to the crypt where the Shaghūra is said to be hidden – the sacred centre of the monastery's religious life. The icon dating back to the early days of Christianity remains hidden from view in a wall niche, and is believed to bring about miraculous healings almost every day.

Our Lady of Saydnaya towers above the town, which is home to many other churches, monasteries, and a mosque.

The reception room where the abbess regularly met with Bashar al-Assad, who maintained a close relationship with both the monastery and the town.

The procession marking the feast day of Saint George makes its way from the Monastery of Saint George through the entire town to the Monastery of Our Lady of Saydnaya.

Saint George is remembered in many stories as the defender of the town against Muslim attacks. At the same time, he is also an important saint for Muslims.

The procession moves forward with plenty of arak, dancing, and songs of praise for Saint George.

With Lebanese and Syrian flags and a large icon, the entire crowd pours into the monastery.

The local scouts lead the procession with a mixture of military music and Arabic dabke. Once arrived at the monastery, the celebration becomes even more exuberant.

A shepherd Abu Yusuf brings his few sheep home. While Saydnaya may appear prosperous compared with many other places in Syria, poverty is present everywhere here as well. The country’s economic situation has not improved since the fall of Assad.

Marwan sustains himself by weaving nets for basketball hoops. He shows us his collection of antiques.

A boy prays in front of an icon of Saint George.

Saydnaya is situated in the Qalamoun mountains north of Damascus. The infamous prison bearing the same name lies next to it but technically belongs to another village.

Musa owns a small liquor shop on the main street and is the monastery’s gardener. Here, he is picking almonds, which are eaten fresh. In the background stands the newly built shrine to Saint Eliyas.

Walking in Cairo

Some encounters during my walks in Cairo

A Quran and other religious texts on the grave of the famous dream interpreter Muhammad Ibn Sirin

A boy poses for a photo in a residential neighbourhood

Fingerprints next to the entrance of a house – made for protection

The entrance to a small room designed for video games, decorated with sports pictures and religious slogans

Artists in Cairo

Artists Muhammad Abla and Muhammad Taman in Cairo

Muhammad Taman explains is painting technique in what he calls his "colour laboratory" (Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo)

Muhammad Abla in his studio in downtown Cairo

Siwa

Hanan Ramadan

In Alexandria