A powerful new photography exhibition offering a glimpse into the lives of disadvantaged communities across the globe has opened at the Rami Library in Istanbul.

Titled “The Rest of the Story,” the collection features the work of Jerusalem-based photographer Muhammed Muhaisen, compiled over more than 20 years of travel.

The exhibition presents a visual journey from Afghanistan to Pakistan, Serbia to Greece, and across Africa and Asia, aiming to share the untold life stories of those affected by conflict, natural disasters, and discrimination.

In an interview with Ilke News Agency, Muhaisen explained the driving force behind his decades-long project. “For more than 20 years, I travelled the world to document the stories of people who were affected by conflicts, by natural disasters, and by discriminations,” he said. “I travelled to Europe, to the Middle East, to the U.S. to document these stories.”

He emphasized the forced nature of migration depicted in his work, stating, “Nobody leaves their home unless they are forced to leave their home.”

For the photographer, the choice of Istanbul as the exhibition's venue is particularly significant. “For me, exhibitions are addressed to raise awareness and to share the stories of the people,” Muhaisen said. “Right now, in Türkiye, Istanbul is one of the most important cultural places in the world. So, for me, having this exhibition here, I succeeded as a photographer to share the stories with the Turkish people.”

He expressed his gratitude for the public's response, noting: “We had hundreds of people walking [through], and the coming week will also witness more and more people. So, for me, I feel humbled and honoured that my work for the first time is seen in Türkiye.”

Muhaisen also extended his thanks to the aid organization WEFA for making the exhibition possible and acknowledged their global humanitarian efforts.

“The Rest of the Story” exhibition is open to visitors at Rami Library until November 15, offering Istanbul audiences a profound glimpse into the shared humanity that transcends borders, faiths, and crises. (ILKHA)