Yesterday's edition of the Londonist had a brief article about a new exhibit that's just opened at the Leighton House Museum of photographs of the last(?) eunuch guardians of the Tomb of the Prophet in Medina, Saudi Arabia. I've copied the text of the article below, but the original includes one of the photographs.

Is there anyone in London who can visit the museum and provide a better set of information than this brief notice?

In history Arabic society had a special place for eunuchs and in the 12th century they were deemed trustworthy enough to look after the keys to the prophet Muhammad's burial chamber, but what came as a surprise to us is that this Mamluk (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mamluk) lineage still exists and continues to fulfil its function of looking after the Prophet's Mosque in Medina (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Masjid_an-Nabawi).

These 'Guardians' are the last of their kind as the Saudi Government has decided that this tradition will end with the current crop of elderly keepers of the mosque. As this 800 year tradition is coming to an end, photographer Adel Quarishi has captured the eight remaining Guardians in large half length portraits, which look back at the viewer from three sides in the gallery space within Leighton House Museum.

The wrinkles and posture of the eight hints that they may not have long left to serve in their professions, and the exhibition notes inform us that three have died since they were photographed in 2013. Yet each photo presents the Guardians standing or sitting proudly in their clerical dress.

Most people, including many Muslims, won't know these people exist so it's a powerful statement to immortalise these men in photographs to commemorate the end of a centuries old tradition. It's also the perfect setting as Leighton House Museum is filled with Arabic stylings in its interior. The relatively small exhibition alone may not be worth making the journey to this venue, but for those who've never visited Leighton House Museum they're in for a double treat.

Adel Quraishi's portraits (https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/nour/e ... aishi.aspx)of The Guardians is on at Leighton House Museum, 12 Holland Park Road, W14 8LZ until 29 November. Tickets are £7 for adults, £5 concessions and includes access to the rest of the museum. The Museum is open every day except Tuesdays, from 10-5.30.

https://londonist.com/2015/10/meet-the- ... use-museum#

Hi Jesus,

I will go and see what I can see and get. It looks like a fascinating bit of architecture in London!

So today I went to the museum.

JesusA (imported) wrote: Mon Nov 02, 2015 10:42 am https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/

museums/leightonhousemuseum1.aspx It is a truly remarkable building, the studio of a wealthy Victorian artist who could afford an opulent mansion to paint in. There are numerous portraits of Arabians and clearly he had strong connections to the Middle East and a passion for the culture and architecture.

A fitting place for the exhibition of the Guardians. The photographic portraits are about 8 Feet tall from just above the knee making them appear as giants. More interestingly the colour photography has a sepia tinge to it and the white robes are as if illuminated almost glowing with holiness, the dark skin and incredible detail of the lens portrays every detail of the character of each individual and their faces tell an incredible story. Just the green of their scarves make images feel like the intensity of black and white and yet more overwhelming.

I stood in front of each guardian and felt uplifted and privileged to be there. I truly wish you were there to share this experience and I am so glad that I went.

All the more so knowing that these eunuchs are great men of simplicity and holiness, it emanates from the images and filled the room and me with awe.

I could not take photos as there were too many people coming and going. In truth it would not do them justice, these photos need to be seen they are masterpieces of photography let alone their significance to the eunuch community.

Apparently they live a simple life, keeping the tomb clean and spend their lives in prayer and reflection. No mater what ones belief these figures emanate something great, and simple and compassionate.