2020 Moments: National Geographic urges region's photographers to share snapshots for competition

The annual competition, which spotlights works by photographers in the Mena region, wants entrants to capture the overall 'sentiment' of the year

1st place (2019): Zeinab Khalifeh, Lebanon: Khalifeh's photograph captured a daily scene from the Old Souq in Saida, a historic city in the south of Lebanon, known for its wide display of traditional artefacts and items. Courtesy National Geographic

Youth Winner (2019): Wafa Abdulmajeed, Oman: 17-year-old Abdulmajeed took this photo at Mutrah Souq in the Omani capital of Muscat, one of the oldest souqs in the Arab world, and a thriving centre for commerce to this day. Courtesy National Geographic

1st place (2018): Mohammed, Palestine: 'This photo was taken from Gaza. Though the siege it falls under and the obstacles it faces, it spreads hope and joy. Notwithstanding all these hardships, those people with innocent hearts practise their favourite hobby and play football amid the debris of their ruined houses. They are sharing moments of joy in the middle of long-lasting suffering. This is our hero Abdullah who lost his leg but never loses hope.' Courtesy National Geographic

2nd place (2018): Elyes Guebbal, Algeria: 'This photo was taken in a pottery workshop in south Tunisia, as we can see the old craftsman while working.' Courtesy National Geographic

3rd place (2018): Ibrahim Sulieman, Saudi Arabia: 'Al Madad Abu Ahmed takes this sophisticated profession for more than 35 years in Al Ahsa. This profession needs high accuracy and strength to produce beautiful shapes and designs that can be used in home decor or put on dining tables.' Courtesy National Geographic

Single Image Winner (2017): 'Happiness', Mohamed Mahdy, Egypt: 'I found this child in this old city called El Borg playing with his little chicken and calling it his best friend. While his brother was watching from the window, the chicken starts to bite him then this moment comes.' Courtesy National Geographic

Photodocumentary Winner (2017): 'Palestinian Wedding - Henna Night', Fatima Shbair, Gaza, Palestine: 'Henna Night in villages is the most important night for the bride, it precedes the wedding night by a day or two’ 1/6. Courtesy National Geographic

Photodocumentary Winner (2017): 'Palestinian Wedding - Henna Night', Fatima Shbair, Gaza, Palestine: ‘It’s an old Palestinian custom in which relatives and friends of the bride gather to celebrate her and say goodbye to her as it's her last night in her father's house’ 2/6. Courtesy National Geographic

Photodocumentary Winner (2017): 'Palestinian Wedding - Henna Night', Fatima Shbair, Gaza, Palestine: ‘They sing sad folk songs called (Al-Tarwida)’ 3/6. Courtesy National Geographic

Photodocumentary Winner (2017): 'Palestinian Wedding - Henna Night', Fatima Shbair, Gaza, Palestine: ‘On this night, many brides wear the traditional costume, an embroidered Palestinian dress’ 4/6. Courtesy National Geographic

Photodocumentary Winner (2017): 'Palestinian Wedding - Henna Night', Fatima Shbair, Gaza, Palestine: ‘These pictures show moments of joy and celebration’ 5/6. Courtesy National Geographic

Photodocumentary Winner (2017): 'Palestinian Wedding - Henna Night', Fatima Shbair, Gaza, Palestine: ‘It starts with the preparing for this night, to the final moments of celebration full of dancing and singing’ 6/6. Courtesy National Geographic

Youth Winner (2017): 'Celebrating Their Little One', Barakat Khaled, Egypt: 'A group of children were playing in the street and this is how they celebrated when one of them scored.' Courtesy National Geographic

People's Choice Winner (2017): 'Life', Mahmoud Abu Salama, Gaza, Palestine: 'Children from Jabaliya Refugee Camp in Gaza. They play using this rope every Friday. It’s their way of having fun and trying to enjoy life.' Courtesy: National Geographic

1st place (2016): Mohamed Benmokhtar, Morocco: Food and its traditions in the Arab world. Courtesy National Geographic

2nd place (2016): Mohammed Sulaiman Albadaai, Oman: Food and its traditions in the Arab world. Courtesy National Geographic

3rd place (2016): Mohammed Nageeb Mohmoud Nasr, Egypt: Food and its traditions in the Arab world. Courtesy National Geographic

1st place (2015): Hussein Mahmoud Mohammed, Egypt: Arab cities through your eyes. Courtesy National Geographic

2nd place (2015): Ahmad Sayed Abdullatif Abdulhamid, Egypt: Arab cities through your eyes. Courtesy National Geographic

3rd place (2015): Ahmad Baidu, Morocco: Arab cities through your eyes. Courtesy National Geographic

National Geographic Abu Dhabi has announced the launch of the 10th annual Moments photography competition, a prize that shines a light on life around the Mena region.

Click through the gallery above to see Moments winners from previous years. 

The theme of this year's competition is 2020 Moments, which National Geographic Abu Dhabi hopes will "perfectly capture the overall moods, sentiments and unique experiences we all shared and experienced this year".

Not just for expert photographers, the competition is open to budding artists and novices looking to challenge themselves.

The competition opened on Monday, August 17, and applicants can submit their entry until Thursday, October 15. Entrants can submit up to 10 images to the website.

"Whether taken with a phone or professional camera, entrants are encouraged to use their creative lens to narrate visual stories that best define a world that has been hushed, paused and forever changed following recent events," National Geographic Abu Dhabi said.

The competition is held to promote and nurture local photography talent. Since it launched in 2010, the competition has had more than 250,000 entries submitted across the Mena region.

The 2020 competition's judging panel will include Muhammed Muheisen, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and National Geographic photographer, and Almarai's Hussam R Abdulqader.

For more information, visit www.natgeo-moments.com