Eye on the Hajj: Mystery lensman who took first photos of Makkah

Abdul Ghaffar’s photo shows a general view of the Holy Mosque. Much still remains unknown about the life of the first Makkah photographer. (Library of Congress photos)
Updated 23 August 2018
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Eye on the Hajj: Mystery lensman who took first photos of Makkah

  • Ghaffar recorded his experiences in Makkah between 1884-1885 in diaries and correspondences with his mentor, the Dutch scholar Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje
  • Today, Abdul Gaffar’s pictures speak for themselves, offering an alternative depiction of the region

JEDDAH: Little is known about Abdul Ghaffar, the first photographer to capture images of Makkah, yet his evocative portraits of the Hajj season stand as a fitting tribute almost 130 years later.

Ghaffar recorded his experiences in Makkah between 1884-1885 in diaries and correspondences with his mentor, the Dutch scholar Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje.

When they met in Makkah, Ghaffar already practiced photography, but with a little systematic approach to his subjects, Hurgronje said. 

Between 1886 and 1889, Ghaffar shot around 250 photographs of Makkah and its inhabitants, as well as the first photographs of pilgrims during the Hajj season. Hurgronje was the first to admit that Ghaffar’s work displayed considerable artistic talent.

Aside from his love for photography, Ghaffar worked as a dentist, watchmaker, gunmaker and a smelter for gold and silver.

However, his greatest interest lay in the modern photography techniques introduced by Hurgronje. Ghaffar was eager to learn more, and so offered Hurgronje the use of his own photography studio.

After Hurgronje was forced to leave the Arabian Peninsula, Ghaffar used the albumen print and 144 glass plates — a medium preceding film — that the Dutchman had left behind.

Hurgronje believed that by leaving these “gifts” he would be able to manipulate the material Ghaffar shot.

Ghaffar did share his photos with Hurgronje, and it was clear that his work was influenced by his continuing correspondence with the Dutch photographer. However, he did not agree to Hurgronje’s wishes.

Hurgronje wanted images of the locals in Makkah to support his work describing women, slaves, the poor, and other anthropological elements. Ghaffar provided only a few of those, choosing to capture whatever caught his eye instead.

The mysterious photographer sent more than 250 printed photographs to Hurgronje in 15 shipments between 1886 and 1889. Hurgronje published many of these in his own books.

Ghaffar’s remaining unpublished works, or at least the images attributed to him, are preserved in the Leiden University Library in the Netherlands in the archives of Snouck Hurgronje — again listed as works under the Dutch photographer’s name.

In an 1889 publication, which featured the first large collection of photographs of pilgrims during the Hajj season, Hurgronje mentioned Ghaffar only as “a doctor from Makkah, whom I educated.”

Today, the images speak for themselves, offering an alternative to the common depiction of the Arabic Peninsula from that era.

The entire collection is valued at up £120,000 ($160,000), and includes the first photograph of Kiswat Al-Kaaba in Makkah, images of the mosque and the Holy Kaaba, the tents of pilgrims in Mount Arafat and a painting at the the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.


Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement

Updated 18 March 2025
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Saudi leadership approves over SR3bn of Ramadan aid disbursement

  • Initiative part of government’s efforts to improve quality of life, enhance standard of living

RIYADH: The Saudi leadership has approved the disbursement of over SR3 billion ($800 million) to social security beneficiaries as part of an aid initiative during the holy month of Ramadan.

Under the leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the scheme will address the needs of beneficiary families and fulfill their requirements during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Over SR3 billion will be given as follows: each breadwinner will receive SR1,000, and each dependent in the household will receive SR500. The funds will be deposited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries on Tuesday, March 18, the SPA said.

Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for helping to provide citizens with a decent livelihood.

The initiative is part of the Saudi government’s efforts to improve the quality of life and enhance the standard of living for social security beneficiaries, especially during Ramadan, the SPA added.


Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

Updated 18 March 2025
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Nearly 11m iftar meals served at Two Holy Mosques during first half of Ramadan

  • Number iftar meals provided during Ramadan to has increased this year due to growth in the number of Umrah pilgrims at Grand Mosque and Prophet’s Mosque, officials say

MAKKAH: Saudi authorities provided almost 11 million iftar meals to Umrah pilgrims and other worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina during the first half of Ramadan.

The General Authority for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque said on Monday, the 17th day of Ramadan, it has provided 10,822,999 iftar meals and 10,290,000 packets of dates so far during the holy month, which is a time of worship for Muslims during which they fast from sunrise to sunset.

The authority said the number of iftar meals it provides during Ramadan to pilgrims performing Umrah, and other visitors to the mosques, has increased this year due to growth in the number of pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The food is served in designated iftar areas at the mosques, in adherence with strict health standards to ensure the safety of worshippers, it added.

In the run-up to the holy month, the authority introduced an online service through which individuals, charitable organizations and endowments could submit requests to donate iftar meals at the Grand Mosque, the SPA added.


Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia are awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. SPA
Updated 17 March 2025
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Palestinian, Egyptian envoys awarded with King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class

  • Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom

RIYADH: The Palestinian and Egyptian ambassadors to Saudi Arabia were awarded with the King Abdulaziz Sash of the Second Class on Monday. 

Basem Al-Agha and Ahmed Farouk Tawfiq were given the awards for their efforts to strengthen relations between their countries and the Kingdom, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji awarded the sashes on the directive of King Salman, SPA added. 


Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

Updated 17 March 2025
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Saudi Culinary Arts Academy receives full institutional accreditation

  • The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission

RIYADH: The Saudi Culinary Arts Academy (ZADC) was awarded a full institutional accreditation certificate on Sunday, with the support of Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Governor of the Eastern Province.

The recognition was granted during the inauguration ceremony of the academy’s new building on March 16.

The accreditation follows an agreement signed on March 10 between the academy and the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to implement institutional accreditation processes.

The achievement underscored ZADC’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence in culinary education and training.

By equipping national talents with specialized skills, the academy aims to contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The achievement also aligns with the broader efforts of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission to ensure quality and excellence in education and training institutions across the Kingdom.


Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

Updated 17 March 2025
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Saudi Foreign Ministry hosts Iftar reception for diplomats and international organizations

  • Several senior ministry officials attended

RIYADH: Under the patronage of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and in the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Foreign Ministry hosted a gathering of the heads of diplomatic missions, regional offices, and international organizations accredited to the Kingdom to mark the holy month of Ramadan.

The ministry hosted an iftar reception at its headquarters in Riyadh, and those attending, which included several senior ministry officials, exchanged Ramadan greetings and engaged in cordial discussions, enhancing communication with diplomatic missions in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported.