Heaven, Earth and Ten Thousand Things: The Lives of the Muslims of China

A photographic presentation and discussion with acclaimed photographer Peter Sanders

Presented by the ADAMS Qurtuba Community Education, and El-Hibri Foundation

Join us for a rare and captivating afternoon exploring the rich history, spiritual legacy, and living traditions of Muslims in China through the lens of one of the Muslim world’s most celebrated photographers.

Over the course of twelve years, acclaimed photographer Peter Sanders traveled across China documenting the lives, sacred spaces, and spiritual traditions of Chinese Muslim communities whose roots trace back nearly fourteen centuries—beginning just sixty years after Hijra, when Saad ibn Abi Waqqas and other Companions of the Prophet ﷺ are said to have arrived in China at the invitation of the Tang Emperor.

Between 2000 and 2012, Sidi Peter journeyed from East to West and North to South, capturing the remarkable diversity, beauty, and resilience of an indigenous Islamic civilization that now faces growing pressures from modernization and secularization. Heaven, Earth and the Ten Thousand Things—an expression referring to the Way of Islam—became the most comprehensive photographic essay ever produced on Chinese Islamic civilization and stands as one of Sidi Peter’s most important works.

Through stunning imagery and personal reflections, Sidi Peter will share stories from his travels and offer a window into a rich yet often overlooked chapter of Islamic history.

About Sidi Peter Sanders

Peter Sanders is widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed photographers in the Muslim world. Over nearly six decades, he has built a photographic archive of more than 500,000 images documenting cultures, communities, and sacred traditions across the globe.

Beginning with photographing rock icons of the late 1960s, his work evolved into documenting the spiritual and cultural landscapes of India, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Morocco, and the broader Muslim world. Recognized as one of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims, Sidi Peter continues to promote deeper understanding across cultures and serves as a permanent ambassador for MOSAIC, a charity founded by King Charles III.

Event Details

Saturday, May 16, 2026
1:00 PM — Doors Open & Light Refreshments
1:30 PM — Dhuhr Prayer (Iqamah)
2:00 PM — Program Begins
3:30 PM — Program Concludes

Location: ADAMS Sterling – Main Musallah

Registration Information

This event is free and open to all, but registration is required. Please register in advance—tickets will be scanned upon entry.

Please ensure you enter the correct email address during registration (free of errors or typos) so you can receive your ticket confirmation.