On January 2006 the Stanley Foundation commissioned the world-renowned photography agency VII to accurately portray and highlight the modern, day-to-day life of people living in the Middle East. The photographers who took part in this project documented the rise and influence of open media in the Arab world, the Western influence on local life, and the daily life experiences of Arab communities in the Middle East all with the ultimate goal of dispelling the myths and misconceptions of the region. The images in this exhibit represent a small portion of the prints Alexandra Boulat, Gary Knight, Antonin Kratochvil, and Joachim Ladefoged brought back from the region.

The photos represent the broad range of cultures and societies from across the Middle East. Among the countries portrayed in the exhibit:

Egypt•Jordan •Kuwait •Lebanon •Saudi Arabia •Syria •United Arab Emirates

This photography project is a companion to the Stanley Foundation's recently released radio documentary special "24/7: The Rise and Influence of Arab Media."

The Stanley Foundation, VII Photo Agency, WDET Public Radio, and the Arab American National Museum hope that this exhibit will foster a greater understanding of the Middle East and its people among the American public.