July 29, 2023
Ahmed Mostafa

Five-years-old Mekka Mohamed realized she is different from her peers at a very young age, first in the play grounds and then in pre-school. Her friends made sure to point out she looked different. Their comments about her white hair, eyelashes and eyebrows, not to mention her pale skin and eye color, left her confused and sad. 

Born with Albinism, Mekka didn’t know why she looked different. It was hard for her parents to explain to the child what Albinism meant. Nothing made sense to the young girl, anyway. All she wanted is to have black hair like her friends.

Albinism isn’t a disease. It is a genetic condition that people are born with. Albinism can affect people of all races and all ethnic groups.,It’s not contagious, and it can’t be spread. According to Cleveland Clinic, Albinism is a rare genetic disorder. People with Albinism aren’t born with the usual amount of melanin pigment. Melanin is a chemical in the body that determines the color of the skin, hair and eyes. 

Most people with albinism have very pale skin, hair and eyes. They are prone to sunburn and skin cancer. Melanin also is involved in optical nerve development, so you may have vision problems.

To support their daughter, Mekka’s family planned a photo shoot with a professional photographer, and invited model Ziad Mohamed to join. With no hesitation, Ziad accepted to participate in the photo shoot. An albino himself, Ziad knows firsthand the bullying and alienation the young girl has already been exposed to. 

“She wants her hair to be black like her friends, and l tell her that her difference is what make her special, and l wanted to prove that to her with the photo shoot,” Mekka’s father said. 

For the photo shoot, the family bought Mekka new dresses, flower crowns, and butterfly wings. They traveled eight hours by car from Assiut, where they live, to meet with photographer Mahmoud Tantawy and model Ziad in Port Said. 

Mekka bonded with Ziad instantly. He brought a lot of joy to her life, and to the photo shoot, which took place at the Montazah Park, in Port Said.

Photographer, Mahmoud Tantawy, shot a lot of photos with many angles and lighting to create an artistic painting effect to the photos, to enhance the beauty of both Mekka and Ziad. 

The photo shoot had to be short to minimize Mekka and Ziad’s exposure to the sunlight, which could be harmful to their skin. That didn’t affect Mekka’s enjoyment and excitement with the experience. 

With meeting Ziad as the highlight of her day, Mekka is already dreaming to become a model, like him, when she grows up.

Photographer Mahmoud Tantawy with Mekka and Ziad. Visit his page on Instagram here: Mahmoud Tantawy

***If you liked this article, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and receive our articles by email