The Image as a Witness to the Truth | Mohammed Al-Sawwaf

Personal History & Transformation - The speaker transitioned from an art photographer focused on beauty and art (drawing, design, photography) to a war/conflict journalist [1] - The speaker's father, who was politically opposed to the previous regime, was arrested and imprisoned, later escaping Iraq at the age of 19 [1] - After 2003, the speaker returned to Iraq and felt like a tourist in Karbala, a city he had heard about for 19 years [1] - The speaker decided to shift from aesthetic photography to documentary photography after witnessing a scene of unearthed bones and skulls in Karbala [1] - The speaker was injured in a double explosion in Karbala in 2011 and subsequently decided to leave journalism, but later returned to cover the ISIS conflict in 2014 [1] Conflict & Impact - The speaker documented numerous conflicts including the wars in Najaf, Fallujah, and Basra, as well as bombings and sacrifices of Iraqis [1] - The speaker photographed training centers during the war against ISIS, with the final image being the raising of the Iraqi flag in Mosul after three years [1] - The speaker highlights the emotional toll of war, stating that the ISIS conflict aged him more than 100 years [1] Social Commentary & Personal Connection - The speaker connects the Tishreen protests of 2019 with a pre-2003 desire for a homeland, reflecting the unified call for a nation among Iraqi youth [1] - The speaker shares a story about a girl named Fatima who was a victim of a mustard gas attack by ISIS in Taza, near Kirkuk, emphasizing the personal impact of conflict [1] - The speaker feels a sense of responsibility to document and share the events witnessed over 20 years in Iraq [1]