KENJI KWOK

Peace Be Upon You

Wa ‘alayk (and also upon you);
A photo essay to understand the Islamic faith through the Muslim community in Singapore.


Islamophobia is a term — often carelessly used in the media — introduced as a result of acts of terrorism by extremists, carried out unfairly in the name of religion, and bear only the opposite of what the Islamic faith promotes.

"The first cases to be adjudicated between people on the Day of Judgment will be those of bloodshed."
— Narrated in Saheeh Muslim #1678 and Saheeh Al-Bukhari #6533


This is a religion promoting love and compassion. It was through that which gave me the opportunities to photograph prayers in Mosques, due to the welcoming openness of my Muslim friends to invite others to learn more about the Islamic faith.


An ongoing personal learning journey.

The Masjid Darul Ghufran at dusk during the month of Ramadan, where Muslims in the neighbourhood gather to break fast and pray.
The Masjid Darul Ghufran at dusk during the month of Ramadan, where Muslims in the neighbourhood gather to break fast and pray.
A Muslim woman looks out of a screen set up in order for women to offer their worship in private at a makeshift musollah at a HDB void deck.

A Muslim woman looks out of a screen set up in order for women to offer their worship in private at a makeshift Musollah at a HDB void deck.

An elderly man makes his way slowly to the makeshift Musollah in the evening,

Muslims recite the Isha prayer, the fifth of the five daily prayers, in a makeshift Musollah during the month of Ramadan, at a HDB void deck.
Muslims recite the Isha prayer, the fifth of the five daily prayers, in a makeshift Musollah during the month of Ramadan, at a HDB void deck.
An elderly Muslim man sits on a wheelchair to recite the Isha prayer while facing Qibla, the direction of the holy Kaaba in Mecca...These makeshift Musollahs during the month of Ramadan are often made to accommodate the large number of people who may want
An elderly Muslim man sits on a wheelchair to recite the Isha prayer while facing Qibla, the direction of the holy Kaaba in Mecca.

These makeshift Musollahs during the month of Ramadan are often made to accommodate the large number of people who may want to perform the Terawih prayer.
Muslim men pray between each salat at the Masjid Darul Ghufran during the month of Ramadan.
Muslim men pray between each salat at the Masjid Darul Ghufran during the month of Ramadan.

Reflection of Muslim men preparing to pray.

Muslim male congregation prostrate to pray the Terawih prayer at the Masjid Darul Ghufran during the month of Ramadan.
Muslim male congregation prostrate to pray the Terawih prayer at the Masjid Darul Ghufran during the month of Ramadan.

A Muslim man takes some time to pray by himself at the Masjid Darul Ghufran in Tampines.

A Muslim man prays alone at the Masjid Darul Ghufran.

A Muslim man prays alone at the Masjid Darul Ghufran.

Muslim men who are unable to prostrate to pray, bow while sitting down on the chairs along the side of the prayer hall during the Maghrib prayer.
Muslim men who are unable to prostrate to pray, bow while sitting down on the chairs along the side of the prayer hall during the Maghrib prayer.
A young boy prostrates to pray during salat at the Masjid Darul Ghufran.
A young boy prostrates to pray during salat at the Masjid Darul Ghufran.
Muslim men congregate to break fast in groups after the Adhan for the Maghrib prayer at the Masjid Darul Ghufran. Each plate of food is shared among four men, in spirit of the month of Ramadan, helping to promote the sweetness of brotherhood.
Muslim men congregate to break fast in groups after the Adhan for the Maghrib prayer at the Masjid Darul Ghufran. Each plate of food is shared among four men, in spirit of the month of Ramadan, helping to promote the sweetness of brotherhood.
Each plate of food is shared among four men, signifying the shared faith in Islam despite coming from different walks of life.
Each plate of food is shared among four men, signifying the shared faith in Islam despite coming from different walks of life.
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