FaceOf: Saudi-American photographer Tasneem Alsultan

For Tasneem Alsultan, artistic photography has no limits
Updated 07 March 2019
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FaceOf: Saudi-American photographer Tasneem Alsultan

Tasneem Alsultan is a Saudi-American photographer whose work is known for highlighting gender and social issues within Saudi Arabia.

On Thursday, Athr Gallery hosted the first Saudi edition of GPP Slidefest in Jeddah. The highly popular art slideshow format saw inspirational Saudi and regional artists and photographers display their latest creative works through intimate, personal, and powerful artistic narratives.

Alsultan has covered local art stories in Saudi Arabia for both Vanity Fair Italy and Vogue Italia, and her photography has been featured in publications such as the New York Times Lens Blog.

Tasneem Alsultan: Documenting change in Saudi Arabia

Alsultan’s art presentation was an unconventionally honest wedding-themed slideshow. Having photographed more than 120 weddings worldwide, she specializes in capturing what could only be described as the imperfectly perfect candid shots. In recent years, she has been selected by the British Journal of Photography as one of the 16 emerging photographers to watch.

Alsultan works as a freelance investigative writer and photographer in the Middle East for international media organizations. She works on hard news stories as well as longer features. She received her basic education in the UK. Later she received her bachelor’s degree from King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah. She also received a master’s degree in social linguistics and anthropology from Portland State University, US. 

She worked as a lecturer for some years in universities between Saudi Arabia and the US, and then ventured into photography, beginning her career as a wedding photographer.


‘Kingdom is on a path toward the light,’ says US Senator Graham after meeting Prince Khalid bin Salman

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‘Kingdom is on a path toward the light,’ says US Senator Graham after meeting Prince Khalid bin Salman

DUBAI: US Senator Lindsey Graham believes Saudi Arabia is on ‘a path toward the light’, in a statement he issued after meeting with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who is on an official visit to Washington.

“My engagement with Saudi Arabia over the past two days has given me a sense of confidence that the Kingdom – while it has its own interests – is on a path toward the light, not the darkness,” the senator said in his statement.

The senator also said he was looking forward to visiting Saudi Arabia soon.

 

 

“Over the years, I have developed a strong working relationship with Saudi Arabia. I know President Trump is a strong admirer of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. I have seen the changes the Crown Prince has embraced and I have been impressed,” Graham said.

The US senator added that after meeting with Prince Khalid, and Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan earlier, “I am convinced that Saudi Arabia believes the best thing for the region is economic growth and prosperity.”

“Saudi Arabia wants to be a destination of choice in the future, so that people around the world to come visit what I think is an incredible country. Saudi Arabia wants to be one of the dominant forces in Al, which means the best and brightest minds will come. I am convinced that this is still the goal of the Crown Prince and the Kingdom.”

Graham also expressed appreciation to what the Kingdom was trying to do in Syria.

“They have openly said they are the friend of both the Syrian government and the Kurdish people. The attitude of seeking compromise rather than destruction, hopefully, will win the day,” the senator said in his statement.

Prince Khalid is expected to discuss Saudi-US ties and ways to strengthen during his visit, and earlier met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.