When words fail to convey the truth, the lens speaks with an undeniable voice, and a picture becomes worth more than a thousand words. In a world filled with events and conflicts, stories of suffering often fade behind news headlines, but some insist that these stories should be visible and felt, in a language understood by all: the language of images.

From this point, "The Humanitarian Photography Grant" was born as an innovative project that allows photographers in war-torn areas to be witnesses of history and guardians of the people's memory. The first version of the grant launched from the heart of Gaza, where pain and resilience embrace, and from the rubble emerged ten Palestinian lenses to convey untold stories and images pulsating with truth, witnessing one of the most severe humanitarian tragedies of the modern era.

Global Stations: From Gaza to Washington and Sharjah

The grant did not stop at supporting photographers only; it carried their message to the world through a series of exhibitions that began in Washington and then moved to Sharjah, where the images resonated widely within cultural and humanitarian circles. These exhibitions served as a genuine window through which Gaza shows itself to the world, with the cameras of its children, not through the lenses of outsiders.

In this context, Sami Al-Rumayan, the head of the grant, stated: "In Gaza, photography is not just an art; it is an act of resistance against obscuration. We have worked to empower photographers there to be a truthful mirror of what is happening and to let their voices reach the world through works that convey deep suffering and the glow of resilience."

He added, "We believe that the image carries a powerful message capable of making a wide impact. Therefore, through this grant, we aim to empower photographers to convey the voices of those who have none, and to enhance the culture of visual documentation of human tragedies."

Untold Stories of Gaza

The Humanitarian Photography Grant opened its first photographic exhibition in the United States titled "Through Their Lens: The Untold Stories of Gaza," which embodies the painful humanitarian reality experienced by Gaza through works by a select group of Palestinian photographers who have used their lenses to convey the truth and document the details of suffering and resilience in one of the most violent genocides in modern times.

The exhibition included powerful documentary photographs taken by local photographers in Gaza, where each image tells a separate story, bearing the suffering of families, the resilience of children, the sacrifices of women, and the dreams of youth that do not wither despite the destruction. These images reveal the human face of war, which often hides behind political headlines.

Sharjah Hosts "Lenses Pulsing with Humanity"

The grant's participation in the "Exposure 2025" festival in Sharjah marked the culmination of its journey, as the exhibition served as a genuine window through which Gaza shows itself to the world through the lenses of its children, not through the lenses of outsiders. The displayed photos were not just photographic shots; they were speaking humanitarian documents, narrating details of life and death and telling stories of hope amid pain.

For his part, Saad Al-Otaibi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the award, said: "This exhibition is not just a collection of photographs; it is a living testimony and the heartbeat of a land that challenges death daily. We are not only providing photographers with a professional opportunity, but we are also giving them a global voice that transcends the boundaries of silence."

He indicated that "the goal is to give photographers in Gaza a real chance to be the creators of their own narrative, to convey the scene through the eyes of those who have lived it, rather than through the eyes of distant observers."

He also pointed out that the Board of Trustees will work to ensure a supportive environment for the photographers participating in the grant and other grants while ensuring that their work is directed toward issues of deeper impact, encouraging them to produce impactful visual content that contributes to positive change.

Al-Otaibi concluded his remarks by saying, "We hope that this grant will serve as a turning point in the journey of humanitarian photography and contribute to highlighting inspiring human stories that reflect the resilience of individuals and communities in the face of challenges."

 Empowerment Through Art: The Role of Humanitarian Partnerships

This grant came through the empowerment of humanitarian organizations that believe in the necessity of supporting photographers under harsh conditions, including Namaa Charity, the "Islamic Charitable Organization" in Kuwait, and "Kaf Humanitarian" in Bahrain.

In this context, Al-Otaibi emphasized the importance of cooperation with supporting entities.

 Humanitarian Photography: A Visual Testimony to History

The photographers who participated in this grant were not just professionals seeking beautiful shots; they were witnesses to pain and hope, narrators of stories that words cannot convey.

Hussein Al-Moussawi, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic Arabic, spoke about the importance of this exhibition: "What this exhibition presents goes beyond the boundaries of art, becoming a documentation of living human history. We do not view these images merely as creative works but as visual documents carrying messages for future generations, shedding light on details that may be forgotten but remain etched in the memory of the lens and humanity."

 In Conclusion: A Journey Not Yet Over

This exhibition is the first in a series of exhibitions around the world, where the humanitarian photography grant will continue to convey the voice of Gaza, telling the world the story of a land that bleeds resilience and a sky that rains cries of hope. As Al-Rumyan confirmed, "Our journey has begun, and our message continues. These are not just pictures; they are a call for humanity to awaken."