KUWAIT CITY, July 6: Kuwaiti photographer Muhammad Murad has achieved remarkable success by winning two awards in the esteemed International Oasis competition held in Ruero, northern Italy. The competition attracted participants from nearly 70 countries worldwide, comprising both professional and amateur photographers.

The Italian Society for Natural Tourism, responsible for organizing the competition, announced that the international jury selected the top 100 most stunning photographs of 2022 from a pool of 25,000 submissions by photographers representing 69 nations. Murad, with his exceptional talent, secured the "Choice of the Judges" award in the "Birds" category for his photograph titled "The Dominator." Additionally, he was granted an "Honorable Mention" award in the "Other Animals" category for his picture named "Escape." These accomplishments solidify his position among the award recipients, akin to an Oscar for nature photography.

The awards ceremony took place this week in the city of Bra, situated on the picturesque hills of Roero in the Piedmont region, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The competition consisted of ten sections, including "Mammals," "Birds," "Other Animals," "Landscapes," "Plant World," "Underwater World," "Picture Story," "Art and Nature," "Photojournalism," and "People." Each section featured ten winning photographs carefully chosen by the jury.

Expressing his profound pride, Murad, a Kuwaiti artist and communications engineer, highlighted the significance of this recognition in enhancing his creative journey and further establishing his reputation in the field of nature photography at a global level. He emphasized the importance of participating in such prestigious international competitions, which not only provide a platform for photographers worldwide but also contribute to environmental preservation and support for global environmental initiatives.

Murad's participation in this competition serves to elevate Kuwait's name and reputation on international stages within the artistic and media domains, underscoring the country's commitment to nature photography and its dedication to environmental awareness.