I Was Interested In Seeing It All For Myself

This photo was taken during a ride through the rugged Jordanian desert from the southern border to the ancient city of Petra. I was visiting Jordan during the time of Ramadan, one of the most important holidays in the religion of Islam. Ramadan is approximately 30 days long, and calls for all Muslims to fast for the entire month, only eating before sunrise and after sundown. We pulled off the road at sundown, and my driver joined a large group of other Muslims who had stopped for a small meal and their evening prayers along the side of the highway.

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Wilson Sackett’s Seven Week Fact Finding Mission In The Mid-East

I Was Interested In Seeing It All For Myself

On June 28th, I left for a seven week trip to Israel and Jordan. After years of allowing the American media to describe and shape these regions for me, I was interested to see and learn the culture that is shadowed by political uncertainty and violence. I hope that by seeing these pictures and reading the descriptions, the reader can see a different side of these countries, a side that expresses kindness and hospitality. While I was traveling, I was never threatened, never hurt, and never turned away by the citizens of Israel and Jordan. On multiple occasions, I was taken in by people of these countries, and given food, water, and anything else they could offer. Without the help and hospitality of these citizens, this trip would never have been possible. I hope readers can feel the human connection between those pictured and ourselves. If we continue to believe that our differences outweigh our similarities, then the walls pictured here that imprison so many people, will never be torn down. Our humanity is our greatest connection, and it is time we start to believe in it.