The holy city of Karbala recently hosted a unique visual art exhibition that brought together traditional photography and artificial intelligence to document the rituals of Ashura through a modern artistic lens.

Organized by the Karbala Photography Team in collaboration with the Media Department of the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), the exhibition attracted a diverse audience of academics, visual artists, and photography enthusiasts.

Photographer Hekmat Al-Ayashi, a contributing artist in the exhibition, explained, “The exhibit featured 41 artworks, combining professionally captured photographs with AI-generated visuals. It offers a fresh perspective on documenting the Hussaini rituals, one that blends artistic authenticity with technological innovation, making it the first exhibition of its kind in this context.”

He added that the project aims to highlight the emotional and spiritual depth of Ashura through a contemporary visual language, one that captures the grief, devotion, and collective memory associated with the occasion.

“This exhibition goes beyond simply documenting moments,” Al-Ayashi continued. “Each image is a narrative in itself—crafted to evoke reflection and stir the conscience. The use of AI alongside traditional photography introduces a new, expressive dimension to religious documentation, creating a visual discourse that bridges reality and imagination.”

The initiative marks a significant step in evolving the portrayal of religious events, merging artistic creativity with technological tools to offer a powerful and immersive experience that resonates with both tradition and modernity.

Emad Bao