The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) has concluded the October edition of the Instagram Photo Contest themed ‘Landmark from Your Country’. Five winners were announced for the competition, which received submissions under the hashtag #HIPAContest_Landmarks. The contest winners hailed from; Egypt, Palestine, China and Iran.

HIPA Secretary General, Ali bin Thalith said, “Every country has landmarks that are among the most important global symbols for which the country is known for. Landmarks stand tall and proud and reflect a countries history, architecture and people. Millions of tourists visit landmarks around the world, but photographers always see a different perspective. This completion shares the stories of landmarks around the world through the unique lens of our photographers. We congratulate the winners and invite the rest of the participants to persevere and make sure they continue to participate in upcoming editions to achieve their own personal win.”

Our winner from the Palestine Mohamed Zarandah @mohamedzarandah said, “I took the photo on May 6, 2016, as it was my first visit to the squares of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. I did not have a camera at that time, but my friend helped me when he came with a camera knowing my passion for photography. I wandered around and took dozens of pictures with love.

This is not my first win, but winning with HIPA is a great achievement. I have been participating in the competition for 5 years and have reached the finals more than once, and finally, I won the long-awaited win. Certainly a new start in my career.”

Heba Abdelmonem @heba_oraby, our winner from Egypt she said, “I took the photo on January 6, 2020, on the last day of my trip to Aswan, when I was visiting the Temple of Dendera in Qena, and it was a wonderful trip, especially as it was my first trip to that region.

This is not my first win, but HIPA is an important international competition, and winning in it is a dream for all photographers.  I was very happy to fulfill one of my dreams that will support for me in the future. I plan to participate in the ‘Humanity’ competition using my photography to focus on the rights of children and refugees and their need for education, health and other human rights.”