Heather Smith

Hacen Prayer is an intimate photo series capturing the morning prayers of Hacen, a Mauritanian immigrant who left behind his family, village, and everything familiar in pursuit of a better future. Since arriving in Chicago two years ago, Hacen has lived with my family, and his presence has deeply enriched our home. His story reflects the resilience of countless immigrants navigating the challenges of displacement while holding onto their cultural and spiritual identities. This series documents a sacred moment of Hacen's morning Salah prayers at sunrise along Lake Michigan. Salah, the Islamic prayer performed five times daily, provides Hacen with spiritual grounding and a connection to his homeland. The lakefront setting carries special significance, as the vast expanse of water reminds him of Mauritania's Atlantic coast. In this quiet moment of devotion, Hacen bridges his past and present, illustrating the universal longing for belonging and continuity amid change. Through this series, I explore the role of faith as an anchor in migration, offering a counter-narrative to the dehumanizing portrayal of immigrants in today’s discourse. Rather than focusing on struggle alone, these images highlight dignity, strength, and the enduring power of cultural identity. Hacen Salah invites viewers to witness the deeply personal aspects of migration—beyond policies and politics—to the quiet resilience found in everyday rituals. It is a story of faith, adaptation, and the human need for connection, challenging narratives of division and offering a more humanizing perspective on immigration.

Hacen Prayer is an intimate photo series capturing the morning prayers of Hacen, a Mauritanian immigrant who left behind his family, village, and everything familiar in pursuit of a better future. Since arriving in Chicago two years ago, Hacen has lived with my family, and his presence has deeply enriched our home. His story reflects the resilience of countless immigrants navigating the challenges of displacement while holding onto their cultural and spiritual identities. This series documents a sacred moment of Hacen's morning Salah prayers at sunrise along Lake Michigan. Salah, the Islamic prayer performed five times daily, provides Hacen with spiritual grounding and a connection to his homeland. The lakefront setting carries special significance, as the vast expanse of water reminds him of Mauritania's Atlantic coast. In this quiet moment of devotion, Hacen bridges his past and present, illustrating the universal longing for belonging and continuity amid change.

Hacen Prayer is an intimate photo series capturing the morning prayers of Hacen, a Mauritanian immigrant who left behind his family, village, and everything familiar in pursuit of a better future. Since arriving in Chicago two years ago, Hacen has lived with my family, and his presence has deeply enriched our home. His story reflects the resilience of countless immigrants navigating the challenges of displacement while holding onto their cultural and spiritual identities. This series documents a sacred moment of Hacen's morning Salah prayers at sunrise along Lake Michigan. Salah, the Islamic prayer performed five times daily, provides Hacen with spiritual grounding and a connection to his homeland. The lakefront setting carries special significance, as the vast expanse of water reminds him of Mauritania's Atlantic coast. In this quiet moment of devotion, Hacen bridges his past and present, illustrating the universal longing for belonging and continuity amid change.

Hacen Prayer is an intimate photo series capturing the morning prayers of Hacen, a Mauritanian immigrant who left behind his family, village, and everything familiar in pursuit of a better future. Since arriving in Chicago two years ago, Hacen has lived with my family, and his presence has deeply enriched our home. His story reflects the resilience of countless immigrants navigating the challenges of displacement while holding onto their cultural and spiritual identities. This series documents a sacred moment of Hacen's morning Salah prayers at sunrise along Lake Michigan. Salah, the Islamic prayer performed five times daily, provides Hacen with spiritual grounding and a connection to his homeland. The lakefront setting carries special significance, as the vast expanse of water reminds him of Mauritania's Atlantic coast. In this quiet moment of devotion, Hacen bridges his past and present, illustrating the universal longing for belonging and continuity amid change.

Hacen Prayer is an intimate photo series capturing the morning prayers of Hacen, a Mauritanian immigrant who left behind his family, village, and everything familiar in pursuit of a better future. Since arriving in Chicago two years ago, Hacen has lived with my family, and his presence has deeply enriched our home. His story reflects the resilience of countless immigrants navigating the challenges of displacement while holding onto their cultural and spiritual identities. This series documents a sacred moment of Hacen's morning Salah prayers at sunrise along Lake Michigan. Salah, the Islamic prayer performed five times daily, provides Hacen with spiritual grounding and a connection to his homeland. The lakefront setting carries special significance, as the vast expanse of water reminds him of Mauritania's Atlantic coast. In this quiet moment of devotion, Hacen bridges his past and present, illustrating the universal longing for belonging and continuity amid change.