In honor of Arab Heritage Month, a group of queer Middle Eastern models recently posed for a photoshoot that has been gaining attention for its celebration of diversity and representation. The photos, titled “Faces of the Middle East,” feature models Omar Sharif Jr., Zak Zakar, Kenny, Amrou Al-Kadhi, and Michael Zakar, each exuding sexiness and confidence.
This shoot is particularly meaningful as the models have spoken out about the lack of representation for queer Middle Eastern people in media and entertainment. Michael Zakar, one of the models featured in the photos, spoke candidly about the issue, stating, “I think there’s a huge issue with representation for Arab-Americans in media if all we realistically have is Aladdin. We need more people like us in entertainment to show our community that queer Arab-Americans exist and can thrive!”
Zak Zakar echoed these sentiments, stating that “We need more Middle Eastern representation. The world has no idea what it looks or means to be a Middle Eastern man in modern-day America.” Omar Sharif Jr. also spoke about the importance of visibility, stating, “I came out publicly in the Middle East to bring visibility to an often invisible community, forced to hide in fear of persecution. It’s time we had our faces and voices broadcast more broadly; it’s time we no longer remain faceless.”
The photoshoot has gained significant attention on social media, with many praising the models for their bravery and pushing for greater representation of Middle Eastern queer individuals. As model Amrou Al-Kadhi stated, “Representation means seeing examples of hope in a world that often feels hopeless.”
The “Faces of the Middle East” photoshoot is just one step towards greater representation for marginalized communities in media and entertainment, but it serves as a powerful reminder that visibility matters and can lead to positive change.