emirates7 - Seven members of the Sharjah Children’s Shura Council engaged in an insightful discussion on seeing images through the eyes of children, on the final day of Xposure 2026. The session also explored how photography functions as a visual language for self-expression, emotional communication, and the preservation of cultural identity.
Held at the event’s Hadara Stage, the session was moderated by Humaid Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Sharjah Children’s Shura Council, and featured Deputy Chairman Abida Al Dhahouri, Secretary Reem Abdullah Al Naqbi, General Rapporteur Khalid Al Naqbi, and members Jouri Al Zaabi, Mohammed Al Mazrouei and Maitha Al Mazrouei.
Humaid opened the session by framing Xposure not only as a platform for photographers but as an educational space where children’s voices contribute to shaping the future. "We are here to share with you a true picture of the future. They say that children should only be seen and not heard, but we are here to map the future, express our hopes and ideas, and build community under wise leadership. We help you see things through our eyes.”
The session positioned children as interpreters and creators whose perspectives on visual storytelling carry weight in conversations typically dominated by adult professionals.
Abida took the first thematic thread: the universal language of photography. “A picture speaks all the languages of the world. It doesn’t need an interpreter or translator. Pictures speak to the common feelings of all humans. One photo literally speaks a thousand words. We all look at photos, but we see them through the lens of our age, experience, and maturity. But pictures have a common language, whatever the viewer’s age and nationality.”
Reem explored the emotional dimension of photography, both as a tool for capturing feelings and as a medium through which feelings are experienced. “We take pictures when we are happy, when we are passionate, enthusiastic during travels. Pictures are not only memories, but they also express our internal feelings - whether it is happiness, sadness, or something special. Every picture has a story."
Jouri shifted the discussion to cultural identity, presenting images of Emiratis practicing traditional crafts, a grandmother preparing a food item, and a young man embracing an elder. “When we look at these pictures, we understand the traditions, habits, and customs that shape people’s lives, and the identity that comes with them.”
Khalid reinforced this thread by saying that photography is a historical document that carries forward the culture and values of the UAE. “Photos document the history of our country and nation, and represent our culture and traditions. They the new generation the past and history of our country, and we derive our identity from it.”
Maitha introduced the role of imagination, or how images activate the mind and invite the viewer to construct their own narrative. “When we see a picture, we reit in our imagination. It helps us see the world, live the world, and tell us stories. The story is the beginning of every beautiful idea,” she said.
Mohammed closed the session by showing three iconic and popularly seen images around the world - cherry blossoms in Japan, the Statue of Liberty in New York, and a caravan of camels in front of the pyramids in Egypt, demonstrating how a single photograph can evoke an entire place, history, and culture in the viewer’s mind.
The panel positioned the younger generations of the UAE as custodians of memory and culture, suggesting that photography is a collective responsibility to future generations.
Held at the event’s Hadara Stage, the session was moderated by Humaid Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Sharjah Children’s Shura Council, and featured Deputy Chairman Abida Al Dhahouri, Secretary Reem Abdullah Al Naqbi, General Rapporteur Khalid Al Naqbi, and members Jouri Al Zaabi, Mohammed Al Mazrouei and Maitha Al Mazrouei.
Humaid opened the session by framing Xposure not only as a platform for photographers but as an educational space where children’s voices contribute to shaping the future. "We are here to share with you a true picture of the future. They say that children should only be seen and not heard, but we are here to map the future, express our hopes and ideas, and build community under wise leadership. We help you see things through our eyes.”
The session positioned children as interpreters and creators whose perspectives on visual storytelling carry weight in conversations typically dominated by adult professionals.
Abida took the first thematic thread: the universal language of photography. “A picture speaks all the languages of the world. It doesn’t need an interpreter or translator. Pictures speak to the common feelings of all humans. One photo literally speaks a thousand words. We all look at photos, but we see them through the lens of our age, experience, and maturity. But pictures have a common language, whatever the viewer’s age and nationality.”
Reem explored the emotional dimension of photography, both as a tool for capturing feelings and as a medium through which feelings are experienced. “We take pictures when we are happy, when we are passionate, enthusiastic during travels. Pictures are not only memories, but they also express our internal feelings - whether it is happiness, sadness, or something special. Every picture has a story."
Jouri shifted the discussion to cultural identity, presenting images of Emiratis practicing traditional crafts, a grandmother preparing a food item, and a young man embracing an elder. “When we look at these pictures, we understand the traditions, habits, and customs that shape people’s lives, and the identity that comes with them.”
Khalid reinforced this thread by saying that photography is a historical document that carries forward the culture and values of the UAE. “Photos document the history of our country and nation, and represent our culture and traditions. They the new generation the past and history of our country, and we derive our identity from it.”
Maitha introduced the role of imagination, or how images activate the mind and invite the viewer to construct their own narrative. “When we see a picture, we reit in our imagination. It helps us see the world, live the world, and tell us stories. The story is the beginning of every beautiful idea,” she said.
Mohammed closed the session by showing three iconic and popularly seen images around the world - cherry blossoms in Japan, the Statue of Liberty in New York, and a caravan of camels in front of the pyramids in Egypt, demonstrating how a single photograph can evoke an entire place, history, and culture in the viewer’s mind.
The panel positioned the younger generations of the UAE as custodians of memory and culture, suggesting that photography is a collective responsibility to future generations.
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