What Lies Beneath The Rubble by Eman Mohammed (April 2, 2010) 
(26 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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Categories / Documentary Portraiture / Documentary Reportage / / Click here to open comments section, click again when done to close / 1 Comment
Introduction by Margo de Beijer
I was deeply touched by the work presented here today. Eman Mohammed’s series were suggested to me by my friend Dalia Khamissy, who urged me to show Mohammed’s work here on Bite! Knowing that Eman Mohammed (23) lives in Gaza herself, in the midst of the devastation and the rubble she describes and portrays, I admire her braveness for daring to pick up a camera to show us the country of her family which has been struck so violently. By revealing the circumstances in which Mohammed Khader, his wife Ebtesam and their 22 family members find themselves, Eman takes me by the hand and brings me close to their home and her heart. I can almost feel the grown ups of the family struggling to show strength, so that the children and grandchildren can carry on. Khader’s care for his pigeons shows perseverance and hope where none might be left.
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Between shattered memories of the past and an unknown misty future, lie piles of remains of what used to be called “Home” by Mohammed Khader, his wife Ebtesam and their 22 family members. They choose to take shelter near the remains of their destroyed house that was targeted by Israeli forces during the Gaza war that started on December 27, 2008 and lasted for 22 days.
Their situation is not unique, dozens of families were made homeless and have no place to go.
However, the remarkable trade of Khader’s family is the distinct relation they have with their pigeons. They have had their share of misery after most of the birds died. But no matter where Mohammed Khader and his kids would go, the remaining pigeons would follow.
Mohammed cares for his pigeons, the war didn’t change that. It’s almost as if both the animals and the people are finding some kind of comfort in each other’s company.
For twelve months now, Khader, Ebtesam and their family have been living beneath the rubble of their home, without electricity or main supplies, relying on humanitarian aid from international and local organizations. Eman Mohammed, December 2009.
Eman Mohammed (1987) lives and works in Gaza-Palestine.
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Posted in category 647
amazing, powerful work eman. i love how you’ve centred on the relationship between people and their animals – a hugely important facet of life for many – which is rarely shown in war photography. excellent.