Our Women on the Ground

‘Our Women on the Ground’ is a compilation of 19 essays by Arab women reporting from the Arab world, edited by Zahra Hankir (A Lebanese-British journalist) and Christiane Amanpour (A journalist for CNN).

Beautifully written words, these journalists share about what it’s like to report on conflicts in Middle East countries that hit close to home for them. The stories are bold, raw, and honest – each woman sharing a crucial perspective on the Arab world that is often misleading. Muslim women are often seen as submissive, oppressed, or subjugated by the media but these essays highlight the stark disparity of what Muslim women actually are; they’re one of the most resilient, bravest, provocative, and inspiring.

I respect their ability to uphold their moral ethics, go against the stigma despite being in some of the most dangerous countries to live, and report the realities even in the face of ongoing threats. The diversity of experiences contrasted with the ‘choice’ of my own existence is an unsettling reality. A true privilege to read about their lived experiences without questioning the integrity of the translations, the exhausting singular narrative of Arab women as helpless victims and optional ignorance. I felt a whirlwind of emotions after every story and I have to urge us all to keep spreading compassion in a seemingly brutalized world. There’s a lot that we don’t see behind the published news.

Cheers!
T