Saudi Arabia's Embassy in Washington has opened its doors to Mishwar, an international photography exhibition organised with Dar Al-Hekma University, American University and the University of the District of Columbia to celebrate two decades of collaboration between the three institutions in photography and student exchange. Deputy Chief of Mission Nawaf Alissa attended, along with embassy staff, members of its technical offices, participating artists and art lovers.

On show are works by emerging artists from the partner universities, telling visual stories that link the Kingdom and Washington. Taking their cue from the name Mishwar, which means journey, the pieces encourage visitors to reflect, observe, imagine and explore common human bonds.

Dar Al-Hekma University President Abeer Abdulaziz Aldoghaither told SPA that the exhibition includes work by female students from several majors, among them visual communication, and members of the university's photography club. She said the images capture the Kingdom's cultural diversity and the changes it is undergoing, with scenes shot in places such as Al-Balad, AlUla and Diriyah, and thanked the embassy for hosting the show.

Dr. Tasneem Kabli, dean of the university's College of Engineering, Computing and Design, described the exhibition as a journey of discovery and reflection in which photographs become stories and moments become memories.

Organiser Rania Abdel-Razek said the cooperation started in 2006 as a photography student exchange programme and has continued ever since. The idea for the exhibition, she said, was to mark its 20th anniversary as the United States celebrates 250 years since its founding.