Menigte tijdens de ontvangst van sultan Abdülhamit II voor het Salat al-djuma (vrijdagmiddaggebed) bij de Yildiz Hamidiye-moskee in Istanboel 1876 - 1909

This photograph captures the reception of Sultan Abdülhamit II for Friday prayer at the Yildiz Hamidiye Mosque in Istanbul, taken by the Abdullah Frères. This image exists at the intersection of religion, power, and representation within the Ottoman Empire. The photograph situates Sultan Abdülhamit II, a man who ruled during a period of reform and westernization, against the backdrop of a traditional religious practice. The composition, with its emphasis on the crowd and the architectural grandeur of the mosque, suggests a carefully constructed image of imperial authority and public piety. The presence of military personnel underscores the Sultan's power, but also hints at the underlying tensions and potential for dissent within the Empire. Consider how the photograph reflects the gendered nature of public life, with the visible crowd likely composed primarily of men. The photograph serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between religious tradition, imperial power, and social order in the late Ottoman Empire, inviting us to reflect on the legacies of colonialism, orientalism, and cultural exchange that continue to shape our world today.