Muscat – Omani photographer Salim bin Sultan al Hajri has been named Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA) winner of the year, gaining global acclaim for his work documenting and preserving Omani and Arab cultural heritage.

HIPA announced the winners of its Special Awards for the 14th season on Tuesday, held under the theme ‘Power’. The honours recognised three leading photographers whose work influenced contemporary visual storytelling – Rick Smolan, Mark Smith and Hajri.

Hajri’s photography captures the region’s identity by connecting long-standing traditions with modern life. His images have made him a prominent advocate for cultural documentation across Oman and the Gulf.

Over the years, he has led more than 19 specialised photography workshops, including projects centred on traditions such as Tbourida, the Moroccan equestrian performance. His series We are Oman, which toured regions of the sultanate, highlighted the cultural diversity shaping the country’s national identity.

Hajri has earned several regional and international awards, including a gold medal in the black-and-white category at the FIAP International Photography Competition as part of the Omani national team. His work has been showcased by Qatar Museums during the Qatar Creates Festival and the Qatar Photo Festival. His exhibitions, including We are Oman and NASA Hackathon Oman, reflect a consistent focus on heritage through an artistic and human-centred perspective.