Monique Jaques is a photojournalist based in Istanbul. She has spent the past three years focused on documenting issues in the Middle East as well as in Afghanistan and India. After graduating from New York University's Photography and Imaging program, she traveled extensively through the region and landed in Turkey. Recently she was selected as one of the recipients of the PROOF Award for the Emerging Photojournalist. In 2010 she was featured in the Ian Parry Scholarship show and received an Honorable Mention for the 2008 New York Photo Awards. Her work has been published by The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Guardian, and CNN, among others.
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It is now just over a couple of days from the Scottish Referendum vote and recent polling has the Yes and No campaigns a few points apart. What looked like an unlikely occurrence is now looking more and more possible. Recently UK conservative parties announced more financial incentives for Scotland to stay in the UK union, showing signs of weakness and doubt. Finances are a key factor in independence as Scotland has rich oil reserves and experts estimate that is they secede the region could be the 14th richest country.

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Rapper singer Akon returns to his hometown of Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His trip led him to the orphanage where he spent his childhood and was greeted with excitement by the local children.

June 16, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
A man in a Scottish sweater walks down a street in downtown Edinburgh on June 16th, 2014.

June 16, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
A man walks past a shop selling kilts and souvenirs in downtown Edinburgh. If the referendum passes, Scotland will rely heavily on tourism, whiskey production, and oil revenues.

June 16, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
Brian Keenan and Frances Jones look at a science exhibit in St. Andrews park. Both are not particularly concerned about the referendum as they believe it won't be a major change for Scotland. "We watch the news but can't be bothered to follow it" says Brian.

June 16, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
A couple rests in St. Andrews square, one of the parks in downtown Edinburgh.

June 16, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
Kevin, a bartender at Bennets, one of the oldest pubs in Scotland. Bennets boats a wide variety of locally made Scottish whiskey and cask ale. Kevin is Irish, and many working immigrants in Scotland are concerned the vote will mean stricter immigration rules for workers.

June 16, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
Ross McLean(left) and Tobye McTavish in Bennets, one of the oldest pubs in Scotland on June 15th, 2014. Bennets boasts a wide variety of locally made Scottish whiskey and cask ale. The two friends are divided on the referendum vote. Mclean will vote yes as he is interested in seeing what will happen, which he says is a very Scottish attitude while McLean does not believe that the oil and whiskey markets will sustain the country economically.

June 15, 2014
St. Abbs, Scotland
Boats sit in the harbor at St. Abbs a town known for Marine biology and fishing.

June 15, 2014
St. Abbs, Scotland
A house on a cliff in St. Abbs on the Scottish seaside.

June 15, 2014
St. Abbs, Scotland
A boy surfs in the frigid waters of the North Sea on Scotland's coast on June 15th, 2014.

June 15, 2014
St. Abbs, Scotland
A woman and her dog looking over the North Sea.

June 15, 2014
St. Abbs, Scotland
People walk on the Scottish coast along the North Sea.

June 15, 2014
St. Abbs, Scotland
A woman and her dog looking over the North Sea.

June 14, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
Ian Jenkins, a campaigner for Better Together, who says "We could be independent, but doesn't mean that we should. Maybe in 5 years or so. The money isn't there. It will be harder after independence, this is one of the main issues."

June 14, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
Ian Jenkins, a campaigner for Better Together, who says "We could be independent, but doesn't mean that we should. Maybe in 5 years or so. The money isn't there. It will be harder after independence, this is one of the main issues."

June 14, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
Bryan McCrow, a campaigner for the Better Together party, which advocates the continuing unification of the United Kingdom and urges people to vote No in the upcoming referendum.

June 14, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
Buttons and pamphlets for Better Together, the party advocating for the continuing unification of the United Kingdom and urging people to vote No in the upcoming referendum.

A band plays traditional Scottish music at Captains in downtown Edinburgh on June 14th, 2014.
Views and snapshots from Scotland, a country that will be voting a referendum on whether Scotland shold be independant or not on September 18th. Polls show the country is divided on the issue, but intimidation may affect those numbers as those who wish to stay with the UK are considered unpatriotic.

June 14, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
A band plays traditional Scottish music at Captains in downtown Edinburgh on June 14th, 2014.

June 14, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
A band decked out in traditional attire after their set at Captains in downtown Edinburgh on June 14th, 2014.

June 13, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
Young people play in front of one of the Scottish Parliament buildings. The building flies the UK and Scottish flag.

June 13, 2014
Edinburgh, Scotland
In Edinburgh a phone booth is plastered with a campaign for YES, the group advocating Scottish independence.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
Sheep in a field near the Scottish English borders.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
After the riding there is a parade and town celebration for the Selkirk Common Riding event on June 13th, 2014.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
After the riding there is a parade and town celebration for the Selkirk Common Riding event on June 13th, 2014. The event, a celebration of ancient traditions and history began when the towns around the English/Scottish border would patrol for Englishmen and secure the boundaries of their land.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
A man displays ribbons and medals for different events during the Selkirk Common Riding event on June 13th, 2014.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
After the riding there is a parade and town celebration for the Selkirk Common Riding event on June 13th, 2014.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
A girl fords the river at the Selkirk Common Riding event on June 13th, 2014.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
Riders begin the start of the Selkirk Common Riding event on June 13th, 2014. The event, a celebration of ancient traditions and history began when the towns around the English/Scottish border would patrol for Englishmen and secure the boundaries of their land.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
Young band members film the events with their phones during thee Selkirk Common Riding event on June 13th, 2014. The event, a celebration of ancient traditions and history began when the towns around the English/Scottish border would patrol for Englishmen and secure the boundaries of their land.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
Riders begin the start of the Selkirk Common Riding event on June 13th, 2014. The event, a celebration of ancient traditions and history began when the towns around the English/Scottish border would patrol for Englishmen and secure the boundaries of their land.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
Riders wait for the start of the Selkirk Common Riding event on June 13th, 2014. The event, a celebration of ancient traditions and history began when the towns around the English/Scottish border would patrol for Englishmen and secure the boundaries of their land.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
A bagpipe band begins the Selkirk Common Riding event on June 13th, 2014. The event, a celebration of ancient traditions and history began when the towns around the English/Scottish border would patrol for Englishmen and secure the boundaries of their land.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
A bagpipe band begins the Selkirk Common Riding event on June 13th, 2014. The event, a celebration of ancient traditions and history began when the towns around the English/Scottish border would patrol for Englishmen and secure the boundaries of their land.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
Locals prepare breakfast for onlookers at the event on June 13th, 2014. The event, a celebration of ancient traditions and history began when the towns around the English/Scottish border would patrol for Englishmen and secure the boundaries of their land.

June 13, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
Riders wait for the start of the Selkirk Common Riding event on June 13th, 2014.

June 12, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
A horse trailer painted with the Scottish flag and the words YES, which is the slogan of the pro independence campaign.

June 12, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
A woman reads a plaque on a stone that marks the Scottish/English border in the border regions of Scotland on June 12th, 2014.

June 12, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
A fence marking the Scottish border. As Scotland votes for Independence the border regions are in flux.

June 12, 2014
Anglo-Scottish Border
A car passes a sign welcoming visitors to the Scottish border territories. The sign has been marked by a YES sticker, which is the slogan of the YES campaign for Scottish Independence.