Eman Mohammed: The States Project: District of Columbia

Eman Mohammed: The States Project: District of Columbia by Susana RaabNovember 9, 2016

©Eman Mohammed

Eman Mohammed is a young Palestinian photographer making a name for herself covering the conflict in her community. The wide dissemination of her work is a tribute not only to her tenacity and talent but to the awareness that marginalized communities should have a seat at the table of media representation. Her intimate photos of life under siege create a visceral portrait of war’s wages.

Eman came to D.C. seeking aid for her then 1-½-year old daughter who was wounded in Gaza during an operation by the Israeli military called, “Protective Edge.” Her daughter, a U.S. citizen and unable to get the attention she needed in Gaza, was transferred back to the U.S. for ongoing care. When Eman was ready to return, the borders of her homeland were closed. She now pursues her projects from her base in Washington, D.C. Knowing that this is Eman’s life, home, and child, how can we not be moved to share her sorrow?

Eman Mohammed is an award winning photojournalist and TED fellow, currently based in Washington DC.

Eman is a Palestinian refugee, born in Saudi Arabia and educated in Gaza City, Palestine where she started her photojournalism career at the age of 19. Her work has been focused for the past decade on documenting the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, including military invasions and wars that frequently occur in the area as well as the formation of armed militant groups in the strip.

The main body of Eman’s work has moved from covering Israel’s bombing blitz in a hard news style to a series of long-term and in depth aftermath projects and women unraveled stories in culturally sensitive communities.

Eman Mohammed’s photographs expanded to reach other countries within the Middle East through her two recent projects, Ouyon Lajeaa, and Broken Souvenirs. Her work was published in The Guardian, Le Monde, VICE, Washington Post, Geo International, Mother Jones, and Haartez, and has also been recognized by several international organizations. Prior to being announced a 2014 TED Fellow, Eman’s work was acquired by the British Museum in London.

What Lies Beneath the Rubble

Between the shattered memories of the past and the unknown misty future lie the piles of remains that used to be called Home by thousands of Palestinian families residing in Gaza City. Mohammed Khader and his wife, Ebtesam, and their 22 family members are one of many examples of the bitter life under siege and war.

They take shelter, in the ruins of a house that was targeted during the Israeli War on the Gaza Strip, the family lives without access to electricity for more than 16 hours every day; they mainly survive relying on humanitarian aid from international and local organizations.

They are not much different from dozens of other families who became homeless after the War ended, with no place to go but camping near their destroyed houses. This work shows the different layers of the aftermath in Gaza, the various situations and people and the symptoms of the mental aftermath in both the tragically and unexpectedly resilient.

The remarkable feature of Khader’s family is the distinct relationship they have with their pigeons. Although many of them suffered and several died, no matter where Mohammed Khader and his kids would go, the pigeons always follow. Mohammed used to take care of his pigeons, and the war didn’t change that a lot. Both are seeking some kind of comfort after nothing else is left but the company of the other.

This reportage documents the extent and nature of the aftermath of War in routine, daily life, as it affects women, kids, and men today in the Gaza Strip, who have faced in the relatively recent past and continuing to face the dangers of terror and war.