Ahmed Najm

University of the Arts Bremen | Auditorium (1.09.060)

Between Truth and Trauma: The Cost of Bearing Witness to – Lessons from a Journalist’s Search for Truth in the Shadow of ISIS

Ahmed Najm is a leading photo editor, investigative journalist, and the Managing Director of Metrography, Iraq’s first and only independent photo agency. He also serves as the Chairman of the Board at Channel8, an award-winning Kurdish media outlet known for its dedication to ethical and investigative journalism.

Over the years, Najm has documented war and political change across Iraq, Syria, and the broader Middle East. His projects include Abdi’s Route, a highly acclaimed documentary that reveals untold stories from Rojava and the fight against ISIS.

His work is also deeply personal: since 2014, he has been searching for his brother Kamaran Najm, a fellow photojournalist kidnapped by ISIS. This ongoing search continues to shape his commitment to courageous and human-centered reporting.

In his talk, Najm will reflect on his journey in search of his brother, alongside his journalistic experiences in Iraq and Syria during the ISIS period.

Invited by Samuel Nyholm and Andrea Diefenbach in collaboration with the DAAD TNB Project.

Venue

University of the Arts Bremen Am Speicher XI 8 28217 Bremen

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Lecture hall in Speicher XI, HfK Bremen, with arranged chairs in a semi-circle, bags placed on each seat, and a projected typography display on the wall.