MEMO photojournalist in Gaza wins Arab Journalism Award in Dubai

MEMO photographer in Gaza Mohammed Asad with Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, along with officials and winners of the Arab Journalism Award 2021 in Dubai on 28 November 2021

MEMO Photographer in Gaza, Mohammed Asad, wins the Arab Journalism Award’s photography category for a picture he took during Israel’s May 2021 bombardment of Gaza. He was handed the accolade in Dubai, UAE, on 28 November 2021

MEMO Photographer in Gaza, Mohammed Asad, wins the Arab Journalism Award’s photography category for a picture he took during Israel’s May 2021 bombardment of Gaza. He was handed the accolade in Dubai, UAE, on 28 November 2021

Palestinian student looking up through a hole in the ceiling of her classroom with a missile to the side of the holein Gaza City in May 2021 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

MEMO’s photojournalist Mohammed Asad received the Arab Journalism Award (AJA) in Dubai, in the photojournalism category, which is considered the most prestigious journalism award in the Arab world. The award is in its twentieth year and was held at the Dubai Expo 2020 in the UAE and saw hundreds of entries submitted for consideration.

The winning picture shows a Palestinian student looking up through a hole in the ceiling of her classroom with a missile to the side of the hole. It was taken in the aftermath of the May 2021 Israeli assault on Gaza and highlights the barbarism of the occupation.

Asaad said that the fact that this photo won “re-introduces the situation in Gaza to the world, informing them that Gaza has suffered, and the students of Gaza are continuing to suffer from the barbarity of the occupation.”

The presentation was held in a ceremony attended by well-known media personalities in the Arab world.

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, later met with winners. “The future media has to be evolving, positive and constructive. It has to utilize the contemporary technology tools to deliver the message,” the Dubai ruler said.

“We trust responsible media, which is a key partner in promoting positive development and expressing people’s ambitions for a better tomorrow.”

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