Synopses & Reviews
Nearly impossible for an outsider to gain access to, these two holy places have never before been as fully documented. Nomachi enters this world and returns with beautiful photographs, as thoughtful as they are revealing. The photographs of these two cities are spectacular. What makes the book and the photographs even more compelling is that these cities are closed to non-Muslims and thus the book provides a rare glimpse at a culture and its artifacts, such as its architecture, that is little known. A fascinating look at one of the world's largest and least known living traditions.
--Kirk Robertson, Neon
Synopsis
An unprecedented exploration of Islam's most holy cities and the great pilgrimage, Mecca the Blessed, Medina the Radiant allows both Muslims and those unfamiliar with the Islamic faith access to the holiest sites of one of the world's major religions.
This book is a remarkable achievement by Japanese photographer Ali Kazuyoshi Nomachi, who is a convert to Islam. These stunning never-before-seen images provide an opening to the mystical places and scenes of Islam from breathtaking aerial photographs of the Arabian terrain, to vistas of teeming crowds of worshippers surrounding the Ka'bah, to intense portraits of faithful Muslims in prayer, to the magnificent architecture reflecting the faith of the believers.
Synopsis
Mecca the blessed, Medina the Radiant is a remarkable achievement by Japanese photographer Ali Kazuyoshi Nomachi, who is a convert to Islam. These never-before-seen images provide an opening to the mystical places and scenes of Islam from breathtaking aerial photographs of the Arabian terrain, to vistas of teeming crowds of worshippers surrounding the Ka'bah, to intense portraits of faithful Muslims in prayer, to the magnificent architecture reflecting the faith of the believers. Despite Islam's position as a powerful religion, many aspects of Muslim thought and belief remain an enigma to non-Muslims. One reason may be that Mecca and Medina are restricted to Muslims, and photographing the sites requires special permission, rarely given, from the Saudi Arabian authorities. With their support, photographer Ali Kazuyoshi Nomachi has been able to accomplish this unique mission.
About the Author
Ali Kazuyoshi Nomachi has had his photographs published in
Life, National Geographic, and
Stern, among other leading magazines.