Under Islamic religious law, tattoos are considered "haram" or forbidden. But photographer Bashar Alaeddin says that tattoos are becoming less taboo in the Middle East, as evidenced in his photo-documentary series Arab Ink.
Arab Ink —
Under Islamic religious law, tattoos are considered "haram" or forbidden. But photographer Bashar Alaeddin says that tattoos are becoming less taboo in the Middle East, as evidenced in his photo-documentary series Arab Ink.
Bashar Alaeddin
Meaning "patience is an illustration of my soul," this tattoo is a reminder to stay hopeful through bleak and challenging times. The subject wrote the words in reference to his lifelong battle with depression.
Arab Ink —
Meaning "patience is an illustration of my soul," this tattoo is a reminder to stay hopeful through bleak and challenging times. The subject wrote the words in reference to his lifelong battle with depression.
Bashar Alaeddin
Alaeddin says that he has photographed a surprising number of women, which is a sign that some young Muslims are more relaxed about religious law. In this image, the woman's tattoo means "being" -- it's a reminder to live life fully in her short time on earth.
Arab Ink —
Alaeddin says that he has photographed a surprising number of women, which is a sign that some young Muslims are more relaxed about religious law. In this image, the woman's tattoo means "being" -- it's a reminder to live life fully in her short time on earth.
Bashar Alaeddin
Alaeddin is also interested in combating internationally held stereotypes through his images. "I wanted to do this project because, according to the West, all Muslims practice an absolute, rigid interpretation of Islam. We all know there are a bunch of various interpretations, just like any other religion."
Arab Ink —
Alaeddin is also interested in combating internationally held stereotypes through his images. "I wanted to do this project because, according to the West, all Muslims practice an absolute, rigid interpretation of Islam. We all know there are a bunch of various interpretations, just like any other religion."
Bashar Alaeddin
Alaeddin says it's most common to see tattoos that have a special meaning to the wearer. For instance, in this image, the man chose to tattoo his arm with the name of his father, who passed away in 2003.
Arab Ink —
Alaeddin says it's most common to see tattoos that have a special meaning to the wearer. For instance, in this image, the man chose to tattoo his arm with the name of his father, who passed away in 2003.
Bashar Alaeddin
Alaeddin says he finds it fascinating that many people gravitate to the ancient art of Arabic calligraphy when choosing a tattoo. "This subculture is not getting tattoos in Chinese," he tells CNN. "It's being a rebel, but being a rebel by in the same system that tells you (tattoos are) haram ... That's something that I think is pretty cool."
Arab Ink —
Alaeddin says he finds it fascinating that many people gravitate to the ancient art of Arabic calligraphy when choosing a tattoo. "This subculture is not getting tattoos in Chinese," he tells CNN. "It's being a rebel, but being a rebel by in the same system that tells you (tattoos are) haram ... That's something that I think is pretty cool."
Bashar Alaeddin
Meaning "Ola," this tattoo is of the name of the subject's mother. Alaeddin says many people still choose to get tattoos in areas that are easy to conceal, as it's uncommon to reveal tattoos in public in much of the Middle East.
Arab Ink —
Meaning "Ola," this tattoo is of the name of the subject's mother. Alaeddin says many people still choose to get tattoos in areas that are easy to conceal, as it's uncommon to reveal tattoos in public in much of the Middle East.
Bashar Alaeddin
Alaeddin says he not only wanted to draw attention to this new generation of Arab youth, but he also wanted to document the modern application of the ancient art of Arabic calligraphy.
Arab Ink —
Alaeddin says he not only wanted to draw attention to this new generation of Arab youth, but he also wanted to document the modern application of the ancient art of Arabic calligraphy.
Bashar Alaeddin
Over the past two years, Alaeddin has seen several sub-trends emerge in his images, such as the reoccuring appearance of the word "Freedom," as depicted here. "I have photographed around seven people who have this word tattooed on them, and each person has it in a different area on their body," he tells CNN.
Arab Ink —
Over the past two years, Alaeddin has seen several sub-trends emerge in his images, such as the reoccuring appearance of the word "Freedom," as depicted here. "I have photographed around seven people who have this word tattooed on them, and each person has it in a different area on their body," he tells CNN.
Bashar Alaeddin
While tattoos remain forbidden in Islamic religious law, Alaeddin says that parental disapproval has a lot of influence, too. "For our generation, it wasn't so much about it being forbidden in Islam but more about our parents saying it's 'haram, haram, haram'," he tells CNN. "(Young people) are more concerned about their parents' perception than following the proper rules of Islam."
Arab Ink —
While tattoos remain forbidden in Islamic religious law, Alaeddin says that parental disapproval has a lot of influence, too. "For our generation, it wasn't so much about it being forbidden in Islam but more about our parents saying it's 'haram, haram, haram'," he tells CNN. "(Young people) are more concerned about their parents' perception than following the proper rules of Islam."
Bashar Alaeddin
Over the past few years, Alaeddin says tattoos have become a way for young people in the Middle East to express themselves through the ancient art of Arabic calligraphy.
Arab Ink —
Over the past few years, Alaeddin says tattoos have become a way for young people in the Middle East to express themselves through the ancient art of Arabic calligraphy.
Bashar Alaeddin
What started as a project with a few friends in 2012 has become an ambitious photo-documentary project with international reach.
Arab Ink —
What started as a project with a few friends in 2012 has become an ambitious photo-documentary project with international reach.
Bashar Alaeddin
Alaeddin has toured several countries to exhibit his images, and hopes to publish a book to shed more light on tattoo artists in the Middle East.
Arab Ink —
Alaeddin has toured several countries to exhibit his images, and hopes to publish a book to shed more light on tattoo artists in the Middle East.
Bashar Alaeddin
Alaeddin hopes his images can develop a more nuanced understanding of Arabic culture around the world.
Arab Ink —
Alaeddin hopes his images can develop a more nuanced understanding of Arabic culture around the world.
Bashar Alaeddin
As the project gains momentum Alaeddin says more and more people are reaching out to him and asking to be photographed -- sometimes even before they've gotten a tattoo. This enthusiasm, he says, is a sign of a changing times on the Middle East.
Arab Ink —
As the project gains momentum Alaeddin says more and more people are reaching out to him and asking to be photographed -- sometimes even before they've gotten a tattoo. This enthusiasm, he says, is a sign of a changing times on the Middle East.
Bashar Alaeddin