Muhammed in the Midwest – Earlham College
October 2019
by: Reem Foudeh
With all the places Muhammed has been in this world and the stories that come along with it. He still finds excitement appreciation and beauty within his lens, eyes and heart wherever he goes.
Last October he felt empowered by the youthful energy of the Midwest at Earlham College, Indiana on an invite to speak during the Peace and Justice week about his story and art. The energy in the auditorium was exhilarating. The college audience was also accompanied by high school children, all hooked to the photography and words of Muhammed. I needed to know more about Muhammed experience, Earlham College and Indiana.
How did the students of Earlham make you feel?
Excited, empowered. The atmosphere was full of energy and emotions. There was silence, questions, tears, and laughter. My pictures take you into a different world, I often call it a smile in the middle of the rubble. I always look for a new audience for one reason that the voice and the story of the people I photograph get shared. There were also school children, and this is where you manage to explain to them that outside their own world there is another world.
Where did you want your words and photography to land within the minds of the students?
It was focused on how we can help through photography. How to deliver the message through your craft. Everyone is good in their way, but you need to find your style and passion. It is easy to take a picture you know, but it is not easy to continue and believe in it. it is all about trust, language, and energy.
What was the most commonly asked question?
There were students from all over the world and they all wanted to know how can I become someone who can help? Help is not only the action of help, you already helping by recognising the issue. Work on yourself, take advantage of social media present yourself properly, some people are happy presenting their personal life, you can easily craft it to make a difference.
Another common question that I am asked not only by students but in all my talks is How do you feel at the end of the day? Do you feel traumatised? Having been to war.
At the end of the day, I feel lucky, I have a home to go to, a bed to sleep in, a warm meal to eat. It is the opposite of most of the people I photograph. I gain my strength from the people I photograph. They opened their doors, they allowed me to enter their lives. The least I can do is portrait them with pride. So when you spread this message, people will start appreciating, especially students.
