Young Kurd showcases striking photography at Dubai exhibition
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A young Kurdish photographer from the Kurdistan Region is showcasing his work at an exhibition in Dubai where he received an award for his stimulating photography.
Darawan Majeed, a 22-year-old from the Kurdistan Region capital of Erbil, is participating in the “Collective Visions v2” 12-day photographic exhibition in Dubai which runs from Oct. 23 to Nov. 3, 2018.
Majeed is the only Kurd among the 57 photographers whose works are on display at the event. On Wednesday, he was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for successfully exhibiting his work at the Dubai showpiece.
“I have a vision. I have a dream. I want to help the refugees inside the camps of Kurdistan and get more supplies for them,” Majeed told Kurdistan 24.
He presented about 10 photos to the committee, and they chose two gripping photos which Majeed said he was happy with.
The 22-year-old works as a media manager for Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation (BHHF), the largest international NGO in the Kurdistan Region which provides aid to refugees, especially to children in camps.
BHHF has provided aid since 1999 but has intensified its efforts since 2014 due to the increased refugee crisis in Kurdistan as a result of the Islamic State (IS) war.
The Kurdistan Region currently hosts at least two million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees who fled from IS in southern parts of Iraq and Syria.
Majeed began working with the humanitarian group in March 2018 and is trying to shed light on the suffering of refugees through his stirring photography.
He told Kurdistan 24 that documenting the conditions of refugees and IDPs in the camps “is the best way to get more supplies for them” because people will become more aware of their circumstances.
“I’ve been in most of the camps inside Kurdistan, and I know the conditions better than anyone else,” Majeed explained. “Since 2014, I started to take photos inside the camps, and I know that their condition is going to be better and better, but it’s not enough.”
“They’re human just like you and me. They didn’t choose to be a refugee, so why should they suffer? Just because they are refugees does not mean they deserve a bad life.”
Before pursuing photography and learning the skill, Majeed used to edit and retouch photos.
It wasn’t until early 2013 when he bought a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera that he began exploring different types of photography from natural landscapes and cityscapes to astrophotography and photojournalism.
“When you’re trying something new, you will fail many times, but by failing you become brave and know failure isn’t something to be afraid of,” he said.
Majeed also shared some advice for aspiring photographers from Kurdistan: “Just do it.”
“Be brave, be strong, stop saying and start doing!”
(Photos: Darawan Majeed)
