Syria: JRS photo promotes religious understanding in the Middle East, says NGO
15 September 2011

Despite the difficulties facing Iraqi refugees, there are still people who strive to overcome cultural and religious barriers. Here, an Iraqi woman and her daughter are welcomed by Sr Hala, a Syrian nun, to a Mother's Day celebration at the JRS Deir Vartan Centre in Aleppo, Syria. (Don Doll SJ/ JRS)
In Syria, JRS works for and with Iraqis. We welcome Muslims and Christians, many of whom were shocked to find themselves so close to those who they previously considered to be their persecutors. In time, they discover they have many shared experiences of suffering..., JRS Middle East Director, Nawras Sammour SJ, said upon receiving the award.
Amman, 14 September 2011 – JRS Middle East was awarded 750 US dollars last month by the NGO, Search for Common Ground (SFCG) in its photography competition to promote positive images of the Arab world in the media.

The competition, '1001 Stories of Common Ground's Positive Change in Action', was organised by the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region of SFCG. JRS received awards for the best photograph in the Women's Rights Category and for the best overall photograph.

"The aim behind the competition is to encourage people from the Arab world to tell their positive stories, which are often under-represented in media. We believe a single story has the ability to change attitudes and behaviour, dispelling the myth that the world is black and white, or that stereotypes define people or actions", explained the SGCG Arabic and French Commissioning and Outreach Editor, Nour Awaiss.

The JRS photograph submitted in the competition was taken earlier this year at a Mother's Day celebration hosted at the JRS St Vartan Centre in Aleppo, Syria. The selection process for the best photo was made by SFCG website users, a panel of local NGOs and SFCG representatives.

"In Syria, JRS works for and with Iraqis. We welcome Muslims and Christians, many of whom were shocked to find themselves so close to those who they previously considered to be their persecutors. In time, they discover they have many shared experiences of suffering. Understanding their neighbour has suffered no less trauma than they have, they realise that together they can build a better society", JRS Middle East Director, Nawras Sammour SJ, said upon receiving the award.

About Search for Common Ground

According to Search for Common Ground, the grant is to be used by the winner to "enhance the ability to continue their work… as well as to further the reach of their message by promoting their stories in the media."

Founded in 1982, SFCG works to transform the way the world deals with conflict – away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative problem solving. The organisation uses a multi-faceted approach, employing media initiatives and working with local partners in government and civil society, to find culturally appropriate means to strengthen societies' capacity to deal with conflicts constructively: to understand the differences and act on the commonalities.

For more information on SFCG and the competition, visit http://www.1001cgstories.org




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James Stapleton
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