Perhaps the most iconic aspect of SHUKR’s website presentation is the striking photography, taken against the backdrop of beautiful, traditional Damascene houses. These remnants of Ottoman splendor are priceless historical gems, testifying to the beauty of traditional Islamic architecture. SHUKR has been privileged to photograph its clothing collections in some of the most famous of these fairy-tale palaces and homes, including the Azem Palace, Maktab ‘Anbar and Bayt Nizam. We have also photographed in other atmospheric Islamic architectural masterpieces, such as the magnificent Umayyad Mosque, the dramatic Khan As’ad Pasha, the sumptuous Bait Shami restaurant, and the atmospheric old souks. This photograph of our Tunic Shirt, taken in the Azem Palace, was a winning shot during our Ramadan 2005 campaign:

 

 

 

The Azem palace was originally built in 1750 as a residence for the Ottoman governor of Damascus, As’ad Pasha al-‘Azem, and it currently functions as the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions. Here’s a shot our cameraman took with a minaret of the Ummayyad Mosque in the background. Who wouldn’t want to have the Umayyad Mosque as their local masjid?!

 

 

 

Maktab Anbar has some wonderfully intricate geometric wooden doors, which we love to photograph against. Here’s a favorite photo from Ramadan 2007:

 

 

 

Maktab Anbar, built in the mid-19th century, contains a mixture of traditional Islamic design themes, including, of course, the symbolic gardens, as well as European-influenced stonework.

 

 

 

Bayt Nizam, an 18th-century quaint Damascene house, has some wonderful stonework. Maybe this is what is engaging our male models in this photo? Probably not!

 

 

 

This mother-of-pearl engraved door from the Bayt Nizam has some thoughtful religious poetic lines, saying: 

“That which Allah wills, Is
And that which He does not will, is Not”

“Whoever trusts in Allah, Allah frees from need (from any besides Him)
And whoever depends upon Him, Allah suffices him”

 

 (Click on the image to enlarge it and read the Arabic engraving yourself)

 

A typical SHUKR photoshoot takes up the whole day, and we have a small team of enthusiastic models, assistants, a director and a cameraman. None of our models are professionals, but rather just naturally talented individuals we bumped into here and there. We normally have 3 female models on site, which gives us an opportunity to create some interesting group shots. Here’s a favorite from Ramadan 2007:

 

 

 

Judging by the amount of page views this next image received on our websites, this was our most popular image ever:

 

 

 

The photoshoots normally are an enjoyable experience, and probably the best one was when we rented out the Bait Shami restaurant to do some shots for Ramadan and Eid. This is a traditional Arab house recently converted into a restaurant, the best destination for Arab cuisine in Damascus:

 

 

 

The photoshoots are, however, also a lot of hard work. After a full day on one’s feet, rushing around trying to get everything done in time, it’s time to take a break!

 

 

 

We’d like to know what you, our customers, think about our pictures. Do you appreciate the traditional architectural backgrounds? What do you think about the style of photography? Is there enough product detail shown? We’d love to hear from you.

~Anas, Managing Partner

Every once in a while, there’s a garment that is just perfect; the Winter London Jubba (below) (US, UK) is one such item. If you’re a no-frills guy who wants one piece of outerwear, this is it. No matter whether you wear it over jeans and a t-shirt, a shirt and tie, or a galabiyya, you’re still going to look smart. How can you go wrong with a thin Italian wool blend that reaches the knee? In autumn, wear it over a shirt or galabiyya. In the depth of winter, layer yourself in a sweater or pullover underneath it. 

 

In terms of indoor clothing, the classic Hooded Moroccan Zaytuna Cloak (US, UK) is definitely one of our most popular items among young men. Event after event, year after year, men will come by and ask for it. The combination of hood and V-neck opening add breadth to the shoulders and chest: the look announces masculine dignity without immodesty. This winter, SHUKR has redone it as the Italian Wool Fez Cloak (below) (US, UK). Wear it plain for no-nonsense comfort. Keep it in the back seat of your car and slip it on before entering the masjid on Fridays. And for a bit more formality, wear a white galabiyya underneath; only the envious will dislike it.

 

~ Moustafa, Manager, Retail Division

“And if you were to count the blessings of Allah, you will never be able to count them.”

(Surah Ibrahim, 14:34)

Sayida A’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked to recount one of the most amazing experiences she had in the company of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace). She began to weep, and said, “Was there anything at all about him that was not a marvelous wonder? He came to me one night, and snuggled up beside me in my bed until his skin was touching my skin. But then he said: ‘O daughter of Abu Bakr, let me go, so that I may devote myself to the worship of my Lord.’”

She said, “So I told him, ‘I love your nearness, but I prefer to respect your dearest wish.’ I therefore allowed him (Allah bless him and give him peace) to take his leave of me. So he got up, found a skin container full of water, and performed his ritual ablution, pouring a considerable amount of water in the process. Then he stood erect, and started to perform the ritual prayer. He wept as he did so, until his tears were streaming down onto his chest. He made raka’at (bowing) and shed more tears. Then he prostrated himself, and again he wept. Then he raised his head, and wept still more. He went on like this (Allah bless him and give him peace) until Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived on the scene.”

“I then said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what causes you to weep, when Allah has forgiven you your earlier and later sins?’ To this he replied, (Allah bless him and give him peace) :

‘Should I not be a thankful servant ['abd shakur]? Why should I not do it, since Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He) has sent down to me the words of revelation:

Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, and the ship that runs upon the sea with that which is of use to human beings, and the water which Allah sends down from the sky, thereby reviving the earth after its death, and dispersing all kinds of beasts therein, and the distribution of the winds, and the clouds set in orderly array between heaven and earth–surely there are signs for people who can understand. (Surah al Baqara, 2:164) ‘”