A spontaneous moment of cultural connection captured by Bahraini photographer Enas Sistani is set to be showcased at an international exhibition touring Canada, the US and Mexico as part of the Fifa World Cup 2026 cultural programme.
Her winning photograph, titled ‘A Gesture of Hospitality’, was taken during the 2022 tournament in Qatar and depicts a local organiser helping a visitor properly wear a ghutra – a small, candid interaction that reflected the warmth, hospitality and cultural openness experienced throughout the tournament.
The image was selected for Under One Sky, a travelling photography exhibition that highlights how the tournament brought people from different backgrounds together through shared moments of joy and connection.
The photographs are set to be displayed at Qatari embassies in host countries, including Washington DC, Ottawa and Mexico City, alongside the World Cup 2026 matches, as part of the Qatar, Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture – a year-long initiative celebrating cultural collaboration and ties between the three nations.
“I was shocked and honestly a little bit in denial about it when I found out I had been selected,” the 39-year-old from Hamad Town told the GDN.
“At first, I genuinely thought it was a scam email. I get plenty of those, so my automatic reaction was to take it with a grain of salt and not think too much about it.
“But then, I looked back at the email and realised it was actually from the same photography competition I had applied to.”
Once the news sank in, she said, she felt ‘absolutely elated’.
“The funny part is, I had to keep it a secret for months,” she said. “I could not post or say anything about it until the official announcement on May 13, which is when I was able to announce it on my personal pages.”
She submitted her application for the competition in November 2025 and was informed about her win in February.
Reflecting on the recognition, Ms Sistani said the achievement meant the world to her, especially as she has always dreamed of representing Bahrain on an international platform.
“The picture captures a simple but very human moment among the crowds,” she said, adding that it shows a local organiser helping a visitor wear the traditional ghutra, while explaining how it is worn.
“In a tournament that brought together people from all over the world, this small interaction reflected the warmth and openness shown to visitors.
“The contrast in their clothing naturally draws attention, but for me, the real focus is the gesture itself – a quiet exchange of culture, respect and hospitality.”
Ms Sistani said the moment was entirely unplanned, which made it even more meaningful to capture.
“I love photographing spontaneous moments like this because I enjoy observing people simply being themselves,” she said.
“I found this moment especially heartwarming because it showed people sharing a cultural experience so naturally.”
When asked why she believes her photograph was selected, Ms Sistani said it reflected the deeper spirit of the World Cup beyond football itself.
“It is not just a sports tournament,” she said. “It is a global event where people from completely different backgrounds and cultures come together, connect and exchange experiences and traditions. I think there is something really beautiful about witnessing those moments.”
The competition included two categories. The first one was inside Qatar, for photographers who were physically present in Doha during the Fifa World Cup 2022. The themes were – The Journey (photos capturing their journey and experiences travelling to Qatar); The Game (photos taken inside the stadium showing the game, excitement and anticipation); and After The Game (photos of fans celebrating during or after the game, inside or outside the stadium).
The second category was open to photographers outside Qatar, who celebrated the event in their home countries. The theme for this category was The Love of Football.
The top 20 winners will receive a cash award of QAR2,000 (BD207).
Follow @solovagabond on Instagram to keep up with her latest work.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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