Mounir Raij - Home (at Mercatorplein & MAQAM)

Ode to Amsterdam-West

Raji spent a lot of time around Mercatorplein and MAQAM, from sidewalks to living rooms and backyards. There he met people who are often overlooked, yet form the vibrant heart of the city. Some came from far away, with suitcases full of courage and memories. Here they rebuilt their lives, each in their own way, in their own language, and together they shaped a neighborhood.

Through his lens, daily life at Mercatorplein and MAQAM unfolds: fathers taking their children to school, mothers with shopping bags full of plans, children on their way to tomorrow. Together, the images tell a story of connection, change, and creating a home, showing how people shape their neighborhoods while the city around them continues to evolve.