[BTS Video] Life For Saudi Arabian Women

Growing up in Bosnia during 1992-1995, photographer Ziyah Gafić could not participate in the war – only stand by on the sidelines. Having no academic background in photography, he became very interested in Muslim culture and while working on his project, “Troubled Islam”, he got a very unique opportunity to shoot and interview the women of Saudi Arabia. To many outsiders, Saudi Arabian women appear weak and stripped of all rights. Ziyah went behind the scenes in an attempt to show a different story. Though they still cannot vote until 2015, cannot drive, and have to ask for permission to travel or open a business, these women remain unbelievably strong. They have fought to become respected and highly educated. In his interview, these women have lifted their abaya and niqab to show who they are underneath.