Fahim,
Your photograph is rightly presented as B&W. Saffron robes are not needed for the draw of the image. In fact color is too pretty and that quality is unneeded for the experiences of collegiality, sincerity and focus to holy service to be conveyed. The subject is so compelling, as it takes us o the devoted work of two men of a culture hardly known to most of us, whose lives are dedicated to prayer. Well here's a sketch of my idea of the centers of interest.
Fahim Mohammed:
Thank You For Allowing Me
Edited ADK
Here the two parts are stacked as in a diptych and both are related and important. The original picture before cropping, might not have suggested such a duality. If there was far more black space, then this image might very well be even more powerful.
Thanks for not only sharing, which is generous, (saves a lot of climbing on my part, at least), but also as a deeply religious person yourself, for seeing the common humanity in the vines of such diverse cultures humans find themselves grafted irrevocably into. This openness is part of creativity and allows us to be unique, have our own values, yet see the inherent dignity in all of us.
So what if we are indeed approaching God by the wrong path? My father shared with me, "Don't worry, God is not stupid!" There are many doors and windows to the mansion and all children get cared for!
Whether or not that is indeed true, we are enriched by coming to know humanity through photography. I feel that taking pictures that holds up a lantern to the world, discovering the values of others is one of the better parts of photography.
This you do well.
Asher