Ruqaya Mosque, Damascus Sanaa Abdul Jabar © Etana Press I find religion to be a huge world that encompasses humanity, serenity and peace. But I think the application of religion is a cruel barrier that deprives me of my humanity and distorts my relationship with God.
Freedom of expression, particularly for women, is not encouraged within contemporary Syrian society. Open Shutters is a participatory photography project documenting the significance of religion and diversity for women in Syria, set up by photojournalist Eugenie Dolberg and Etana Press and in affiliation with PhotoVoice. Assisted by trained journalists, six Arab women from diverse religious backgrounds were encouraged to portray their everyday lives through the medium of photography. While Syria is 90% Muslim, there are number of distinct Muslim groups, including Sunni, Alawi, Shia and Druse. Christians make up 10% of the population and there is a small Syrian Jewish community based mainly in Damascus, Aleppo and al-Kamishli.
The photographs from Open Shutters are exhibited at Damascus Universitys Karim Rida Said Conference Centre as part of a regional conference on Women and Traditions from 13 to 15 November.
Sanaa Abdul Jabar chose to document the effects of her loveless, abusive marriage and the role of religion in her life. The above image and the following seven are from her project, Isolation.
Sayeda Zeinab, Damascus Sanaa Abdul Jabar © Etana Press I married in order to escape, but my marriage was a flight from hell to the unknown. I married because I wanted to live under the shadow of a man, but I did not realize that I was blind. I could not recognize shadow from light. I bore children to feel happiness, but nothing turned out the way I had planned. I gave a lot and received nothing in return. In the end I built a family that was based on a stillborn relationship.
Sayeda Zeinab, Damascus Sanaa Abdul Jabar © Etana Press I felt estranged and lonely even in the most crowded of places. I was absent-minded and unsatisfied with my life. I lived in isolation inside the city I called my home. I cannot express my feelings, I explode in the absolute silence.
Sheikh Moheddin, Damascus Sanaa Abdul Jabar © Etana Press My life was marginalized, and I lost my ambition. It seemed as if I was in a terrifying nightmare. I am lost in life's maze, and I have no way out. I wished that I would wake up and find out that everything had worked out differently. Now nothing is left except the painful memories.
Sayeda Zeinab, Damascus Sanaa Abdul Jabar © Etana Press My life was consumed by my unsuccessful marriage, which was based on subservience instead of love and understanding, and my unsuccessful attempts to improve my situation. The man doesn't listen, doesn't understand, and doesn't want to. Who allowed this man to take everything from me without deigning to look at me, even with pity? The problem is that the more time passes, the further apart we drift from each other.
Sayeda Zeinab, Damascus Sanaa Abdul Jabar © Etana Press I live an unpleasant, isolated life punctuated only by my little children. Even they grew tired of the sadness and pain hidden behind my features. I don't have the resources to make a living or take responsibility for myself and my children. Since only my husband could support us, we have to live according to his rules.
Umayyad Mosque, Damascus Sanaa Abdul Jabar © Etana Press I have no place to express my pain and complain about the cruelty of life, except for this place. It is lightened by God's mercy. Many of Saddam Hussein's laws allowed violence against women and even allowed their murder. Women were left at the mercy of their husband, the society and the law.
Open Shutters was produced by photojournalist Eugenie Dolberg with Etana Press, a Damascus-based publishing house that produces materials and organises activities aimed at raising civil awareness in Syria and in affiliation with PhotoVoice, a non-profit organisation that teaches photographic skills to marginalised groups.
