"Eid Al-Kaparot" is a documentary photography project that explores the shared rituals of two major religious traditions: the Muslim "Eid Al-Adha" and the Jewish "Kaparot." Through a series of diptychs, each combining one photograph from the Muslim ritual and one from the Jewish ritual, the project aims to highlight the surprising similarities between these practices.
Both religions trace their origins to Abraham’s sons—Isaac, the father of the Jews, and Ishmael, the father of the Muslims—linking their rituals through shared ancestry, which offers a powerful connection also reflected in their religious practices. In both traditions, sacrifice and atonement play central roles: the Jewish Kaparot involves the symbolic transfer of sins to a chicken, which is then slaughtered, while Eid Al-Adha commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of devotion to God by slaughtering an animal, usually a sheep. In both cases, the sacrifice is followed by acts of charity, with the meat of the animals being donated to those in need.
These rituals persist despite modern critiques and are a testament to the resilience of faith - something deeply human that transcends time and individual differences. Although both rituals involve an inherent element of violence, they are not seen as violent by those who practice them. Instead, they are viewed through a lens of history, ritual, community, and charity. The visual reality of the sacrifice - its rawness and intensity - coupled with the broader narrative of faith and redemption, creates a layered, universal story.
In a world often divided by religious and cultural differences, this project seeks to remind us of the shared history and faith that unite these communities. By focusing on the common threads in these rituals, "Eid Al-Kaparot" aims to foster understanding and empathy, offering a powerful reminder of our shared heritage and past, as well as the potential for a shared future.
