I had the honor to represent my country, Libya, for the second time as a member of the Libyan National team (sole member actually) in the third annual Open Arab Championship for Underwater Photography that was held in Hurghada in Egypt, February 21 – 25, 2024. By the Grace of God and with lots of blessings, prayers and even luck, I managed to earn the silver medal for second place in the “Macro/Close up” category in the Championship (I earned the bronze medal in 2022 in the same category). The championship had three categories: Wide Angle, Macro/Close up and Creative. There were 24 competitors from several Arab countries in this championship including Libya, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon and UAE. It was a blessing from Allah to bring some cheers and smiles to my fellow countrymen who are going through extremely difficult times in Libya.
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The competition was especially challenging for me since it was my first time diving and photographing in Hurghada with the water and air temperatures were very cold. I was freezing most of the time, especially above the surface. The competition was also tough with many of the other competitors having extensive experience diving and taking photographs in the Red Sea with excellent knowledge of the local marine life there.
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The most interesting and fun part of the championship was the camaraderie and the chance for me to meet other divers and underwater photographers from other Arab/Middle Eastern countries. I had an awesome time meeting and mingling with fellow participants and judges.
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I have my hopes to be able to participate in the upcoming INTERNATIONAL underwater photography championship coming up in October in Albania. I hope that I’ll be able to participate and can afford the time and money to make it there.
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Praise be to Allah and may Allah bless, protect and bring peace and justice to Libya, my beloved motherland and home!!
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The competition was especially challenging for me since it was my first time diving and photographing in Hurghada with the water and air temperatures were very cold. I was freezing most of the time, especially above the surface. The competition was also tough with many of the other competitors having extensive experience diving and taking photographs in the Red Sea with excellent knowledge of the local marine life there.
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The most interesting and fun part of the championship was the camaraderie and the chance for me to meet other divers and underwater photographers from other Arab/Middle Eastern countries. I had an awesome time meeting and mingling with fellow participants and judges.
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I have my hopes to be able to participate in the upcoming INTERNATIONAL underwater photography championship coming up in October in Albania. I hope that I’ll be able to participate and can afford the time and money to make it there.
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Praise be to Allah and may Allah bless, protect and bring peace and justice to Libya, my beloved motherland and home!!
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I was competing against the latest and the greatest camera equipment.
] , I just do not take a camera underwater, you do, and you are good at it, and I others see it as good work.
