JEDDAH: Susan Baaqeel, the professional Saudi photographer, on Tuesday night launched the first and largest photographic encyclopedia about various skills and professions in Saudi Arabia under the title “Skills from the Arab Peninsula.” The function was attended by more than 250 guests, including dignitaries, diplomats, pressmen and others. The launching ceremony started with a welfare auction to buy the book containing more than 230 pictures. A philanthropist, who refused to reveal her name, bought the first edition of the book whose proceeds will go to the Al-Iman (faith) Welfare Society to help cancer patients in Jeddah. “This move magnifies the spirit of communication with the cancer patients and supports the welfare deeds among Saudi artists,” Baaqeel said. “The book, which the first artistic and cultural work of its kind, highlights the history and originality of skills in the Arab Peninsula,” she said, adding that it took her more than two years of industrious work and travel among various cities, towns and villages of the Kingdom to compile the book.
