In the throes of conflict, particularly during my childhood in Syria, the loss of my journalist brother, who documented the unfolding events, urged me to shift my focus to the other side of war – the civilians and children caught in its merciless grip.
My project aimed to redefine Syria not merely as a war-torn nation, but as a land where resilience manifested through the unwavering efforts of its people to withstand and confront the brutality of war. While I cannot deny the stark realities of conflict, I witnessed children and civilians exerting every ounce of their strength to confront a war that commenced but never seemed to end.
Despite the relentless bombings and internationally condemned airstrikes that surrounded me, claiming lives and reducing buildings to rubble on a daily basis, civilians and children persisted with a determination that defied the horrors of war. Documenting this project amidst the backdrop of falling bombs and crumbling structures, I realized that what had become a daily routine for us was anything but normal for those viewing my work.
Conflicting emotions arose regarding the meaning of life amidst such devastation. Yet, the photographs bear witness to the resilience and ingenuity of people in areas ravaged by war, where destruction seemed absolute.
This project encapsulates the reality of my childhood spent across various regions of Syria, highlighting the struggle of civilians and children to transcend the horrors of war. Through their resilience, they rewrite the narrative of Syria, not as a land solely defined by conflict, but as a testament to the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity.
