As the late great photographer Helen Levitt once said, “since I’m inarticulate, I express myself with images.” In this light, I have curated a collection of photographs taken on a recent visit to Iraq that aim to capture moments in the life of Iraqi people.
Despite the precarious security, humanitarian and economic conditions in Iraq, the day-to-day hustle and bustle continues, no more evident than in southern Iraq. Whilst the rest of the country continues to slowly lick its wounds, Basra and Nasiriya have not witnessed a major attack in years. However, the southern regions continue to struggle with rampant local corruption, a low employment rate, poor living conditions and tribal conflicts. Despite these struggles, there are moments of peace everywhere you look; a reminder that the perseverance of the Iraqi people is the truest testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Young boys fishing on the banks of the Shat Al-Arab, Basra, 2018
Children playing in the streets, Basra, 2018
Young boys using their jackets as make-shift parachutes during sand-storm, Chibayish Marshes, 2018
Young boy cycling home from school, Basra, 2018
Elderly father and Son enjoy a Shisha on the banks of Shat Al-Arab, Basra, 2018
Local fisherman on the banks of Shat Al-Arab, Basra, 2018
Elderly man taking shade from the blistering afternoon sun, Basra, 2018
By-passer watches a child work. It is typical in Iraq for young boys to work with their relatives in their spare time
Locals exchange words whilst waiting for the green light, Basra, 2018
Elderly man braving the afternoon traffic and cycling, Basra, 2018
Man catches a ride on the carriage of a motorcycle, Basra, 2018
Local female Marsh Arab, Chibayish, 2018
Mother protecting her children from sand-storm, Chibayish, 2018
Mystery woman, Chibayish, 2018
Abu Haider steering his vessel, Chibayish Marshes, 2018
Abu Haider singing, Chibayish Marshes, 2018
Ali Khadr
Ali Khadr is an Iraqi photographer and the Executive Officer of the British Institute for the Study of Iraq, based in London. Communicating human emotion and capturing moments that would otherwise be lost in time are what drive his passion for photography.
