Islamic Cairo is an historic area of the city, surrounded by medieval walls, which in earlier times was regarded as the cultural, intellectual and religious centre of the Arab world. There are still monumental palaces and mosques to be found there - and also the oldest university in the world. At the same time, it is an urban area in decline, infested with ruins and stinking alleys in which the poorest inhabitants of Cairo try to sell their merchandise.

Originally from Poland, photographer Zbigniew Kosc (b. 1951) has a predilection for classic cultures, anthropology and architecture. He studied at the Gerrit Rieteld Academy and travels to the Middle East regularly for photo series. He has budgeted fifteen years for making his panoramic and poetic portrait ISLAMIC CAIRO.