The Art left Baghdad
This is a story about one Iraqis family for whom a future in Iraq is not worth pursuing
Monica family is part of my life with my journalist journey has been closely linked to them since 2014, I following their lives closely because I was part of the Monica Art School, this family had a big challenging faced the Situation after 2013 i Iraq. It was not possible could not let my camera not document how they give meaning to the life under this situation, I considered this family as a symbol of Iraqi art, With their departure the art will leave this part of Iraq.
Monica is one of the artistic family with roots tracing back to Kenya. Her children graduated from arts schools in Baghdad, directed theatre, singing and ballet, which encouraged them to follow a career in life. In order to be the best in craftsmanship.
Iraq has witnessed many periods of conflict in recent memory, and the Monica family has been among the countless families affected by the violence and corruption suffered by his country. They, along with thousands of their compatriots, had enough and decided to take action.
After years of struggling to build a meaningful and professional life in a country plagued with corruption, they had to leave Iraq, the only home they had ever known. Some of its members joined the wave of immigration that swept many young Iraqis and families looking for a promised land that would provide a better life and a future.
Ahmad he emigrated to Canada, where he now settled. His brothers Mahmoud and Mohammed took a more dangerous approach, on the sea and the hard rise on the road to Europe. They eventually settled in Austria.
Ahmed was born to an artistic family He earned a degree in fine arts from the University of Baghdad and found his call in drama. With the father and younger brother who also followed a career in acting, he found inspiration and support through his family, which encouraged him to follow a career in life. Seeking to be the best in his craft, Ahmed put his vision on the Iraqi national stage. His success in performing at this many prestigious stage, many times is testimony to his hard work and talent.
Alongside dozens of similar young men, Ahmed regularly protested corruption in the Iraqi government. He is optimistic about the way his country can push things that stand in the way of positive change. In one weekly protest, drums were pounded into a fast rhythm, racing heart to entertain and crowd around. Against all odds, he remained hopeful, with a vision of a better Iraq.
But that fragile hope was shattered when the government-run National Theatre stripped Ahmed of his freedom of speech because he protested against corruption. They refused to allow him to perform any longer, leaving Ahmed unable to express his thoughts and feelings through theatre. Faced with this dilemma, Ahmed felt that the only avenue left to him was to leave his home and begin anew in a faraway place.
Ahmed was a successful actor in Baghdad on television and has many films in Iraq, Ahmed was the hero of one of the films in the film (community). , His role in the film was an Iraqi gay man .(https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=lVRlT9ktP_I) While he was in Canada during the festival, his father (who is also a famous actor) was threatened by the militia, and told that "if he (Ahmed) comes back to Iraq, his body will be cut into small pieces". So he sought and received asylum in Canada in 2016. His family continues to receive constant threats because of Ahmed’s work, their African Sufi sect, and because they are a well known family in the artistic community in Baghdad.
After having lost some friends and separated some from this work, and their intellectual and artistic attitudes. The reason was (street art) project. The government and clerics there have not stopped, they threatened them and any one work with this project, and some newspapers, accused of violating customs and traditions and contrary to religion,So it was the decision of Muhammad and Mahmoud to emigrate
Mohammed and his younger brother Mahmoud Monika Mohammed graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts and studied art at the University of Baghdad. Mahmoud finished his high school in Baghdad and studied translation for a year before he had to leave
Mohammed and Mahmoud they migrated has to Turkey waited for several days in Izmir and then by sea traveled to Greek, Samos Island. They boarded the ship to Athens and then Macedonia
Wait for two days. they felt bad because of the situation of many children and the elderly. The weather was very harsh. We did not bear the soldiers they were beating Anyone who tried to cross the barrier, then entered the Serbian territory, and by car and arrived in the capital, then head to Austria.
After a period settled in Vienna, they settled in apartments and began to include with Austrian society and learn the language and perform musical projects under the Salam Soul band
.
Tara Monica, younger sister, 13 years old. Today she is one of the most famous Iraqi and Arab singers. She began her career when she was nine years old and now sings in forums and festivals. As a gifted child with a the voice, she carries the message of love, hope, peace and happiness in an environment full of the wreckage of war and racism.
Tara has seen great success in a children's TV program, but the only concern has increased threats of violence and death towards her, her family and her brothers.
Tara is still under threat from the insurgent militias in Baghdad, fighting their dreams and ambitions. Her success is now a threat to her family's life. The beauty she created has brought hatred and violence, turning her success into danger. At a concert in Baghdad, in the New Year in the public square of the event, which was called My Wish, the militias attacked thousands of spectators and were unable to spread their desire for peace. And threatened not to carry out its duties again.
In a YouTube video, Ahmed called for my donations - so he could save his family, he says.
Tara's desperate wish now is simply to complete her studies and live here in Canada, at peace with her family. My mother and father, my sister Esra, Tara, I would reunite in Canada, where we can be free to make art again. We would like to continue the traditions of our family and culture without fear of the consequences for our lives. Thank you for your attention and your contribution. With Light and Love, Ahmed Monica.
We are trying to find Sarah to take care of the Monica family, an Iraqi family, about to flee Iraq. They will live in Turkey at the end of February 2017. We are a group of 5 Canadians who want to help our close friend Ahmed Monika (a refugee himself who can not return to Iraq) to bring his family to Canada. We have the funds to care for his 2 parents, 2 sisters, we only need to sah to
work with.
Who is the Monica family? started a love between two people and agreed to build a family that believes in positive, compassionate, peace and creativity. The basic belief is that art is a way to spread beauty, optimism and positive energy.
the father Salah Monika (63) the mother Salama (52) now they are suffering from a lot of chronic stress due to their dangerous condition. These three children were forced to leave Iraq. He is prohibited from working in his field as a representative. This has seriously affected their psychological financial situation.
Salah Monika is a famous comedian who began his career in 1975 and has since been one of the most popular comedians in Iraq.
Salama, She has sacrificed much to raise her family with wisdom, trust, mentality and empowerment to help others. she was a model at the Iraqi fashion house before her marriage to Salah, she stopped her career because Iran,Iraq war 1980-1988, she does not accept belonging to any political party and her desire to be a good mother all is enough to end her career as a model.
There has been an increase in violence and volatility with groups that exploit Islam, especially the militias and terrorism. These groups have already spread through the country and the city eith the fear and hatred, and this is exactly the opposite of how the Monica family and what they believe, they believes in peace, love, good work, positive energy, help and healing.
This family grew up with the mystical spirituality of Sufism, which is transparent and artistic. This contributed to the introduction of the Monica family through the spread of love, smiles and forgiveness.
Sara Monica she is a first daughter to have been born and worked extensively with social organizations helping the poor and the needy. Currently, Sarah is a pregnant mother living in southern Iraq.
Asra 29 is a university teacher and co-founder of the film department in, the University of Barsa. the Anti-Sufi militias attacked the university's music department, as well as the music and film institutions in Basrah. After that, the families received personal threats also. Asra was forced to flee to Baghdad to support her family, especially to support her younger sister Tara.
Mohammed he is the first boy to have a third child. He is a director and is currently a permanent resident of Vienna, Austria
Ahmed, he the fourth born child is a famous actor and now a refugee in Toronto, Canada. The Canadian Government has granted him refugee status pending a permanent residence card.
Mahmoud he is the youngest and fifth son and has been a professional handball player in Iraq and is now a professional musician. Go to Vienna, Austria. With his brother Muhammad where he is now a permanent resident as well.
Tara, the youngest of 13 years and a famous Arab singer in the Arab countries, studied at the School of Music and Ballet in Baghdad, and participated in many festivals, concerts and fundraising campaign.
Monica's family was an active family of Iraqi society and believed in peace. Their artistic and cultural belief and his message of love, beauty and forgiveness among different denominations of people. This has caused life threats to the boys at first, then the entire family, especially Tara, which is why the boys reside in Europe and Canada now.
In view of the high risk of the situation and the increase of militias, the union of this family was dismantled and is now in critical condition. I reached a level of unbearable danger if they stayed in Baghdad and the rest of the family decided to flee to Turkey. Salah, Salama, Asra and Tara hope to go to Turkey and live in peace to file refugee applications with UNHCR to eventually join their son Ahmed in Canada to continue their lives and aspirations filled with love, peace, hope and positive spiritual energy within them to reunite the family.
Monica family is part of my life with my journalist journey has been closely linked to them since 2014, I following their lives closely because I was part of the Monica Art School, this family had a big challenging faced the Situation after 2013 i Iraq. It was not possible could not let my camera not document how they give meaning to the life under this situation, I considered this family as a symbol of Iraqi art, With their departure the art will leave this part of Iraq.
Monica is one of the artistic family with roots tracing back to Kenya. Her children graduated from arts schools in Baghdad, directed theatre, singing and ballet, which encouraged them to follow a career in life. In order to be the best in craftsmanship.
Iraq has witnessed many periods of conflict in recent memory, and the Monica family has been among the countless families affected by the violence and corruption suffered by his country. They, along with thousands of their compatriots, had enough and decided to take action.
After years of struggling to build a meaningful and professional life in a country plagued with corruption, they had to leave Iraq, the only home they had ever known. Some of its members joined the wave of immigration that swept many young Iraqis and families looking for a promised land that would provide a better life and a future.
Ahmad he emigrated to Canada, where he now settled. His brothers Mahmoud and Mohammed took a more dangerous approach, on the sea and the hard rise on the road to Europe. They eventually settled in Austria.
Ahmed was born to an artistic family He earned a degree in fine arts from the University of Baghdad and found his call in drama. With the father and younger brother who also followed a career in acting, he found inspiration and support through his family, which encouraged him to follow a career in life. Seeking to be the best in his craft, Ahmed put his vision on the Iraqi national stage. His success in performing at this many prestigious stage, many times is testimony to his hard work and talent.
Alongside dozens of similar young men, Ahmed regularly protested corruption in the Iraqi government. He is optimistic about the way his country can push things that stand in the way of positive change. In one weekly protest, drums were pounded into a fast rhythm, racing heart to entertain and crowd around. Against all odds, he remained hopeful, with a vision of a better Iraq.
But that fragile hope was shattered when the government-run National Theatre stripped Ahmed of his freedom of speech because he protested against corruption. They refused to allow him to perform any longer, leaving Ahmed unable to express his thoughts and feelings through theatre. Faced with this dilemma, Ahmed felt that the only avenue left to him was to leave his home and begin anew in a faraway place.
Ahmed was a successful actor in Baghdad on television and has many films in Iraq, Ahmed was the hero of one of the films in the film (community). , His role in the film was an Iraqi gay man .(https://www.youtube.com/shared?ci=lVRlT9ktP_I) While he was in Canada during the festival, his father (who is also a famous actor) was threatened by the militia, and told that "if he (Ahmed) comes back to Iraq, his body will be cut into small pieces". So he sought and received asylum in Canada in 2016. His family continues to receive constant threats because of Ahmed’s work, their African Sufi sect, and because they are a well known family in the artistic community in Baghdad.
After having lost some friends and separated some from this work, and their intellectual and artistic attitudes. The reason was (street art) project. The government and clerics there have not stopped, they threatened them and any one work with this project, and some newspapers, accused of violating customs and traditions and contrary to religion,So it was the decision of Muhammad and Mahmoud to emigrate
Mohammed and his younger brother Mahmoud Monika Mohammed graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts and studied art at the University of Baghdad. Mahmoud finished his high school in Baghdad and studied translation for a year before he had to leave
Mohammed and Mahmoud they migrated has to Turkey waited for several days in Izmir and then by sea traveled to Greek, Samos Island. They boarded the ship to Athens and then Macedonia
Wait for two days. they felt bad because of the situation of many children and the elderly. The weather was very harsh. We did not bear the soldiers they were beating Anyone who tried to cross the barrier, then entered the Serbian territory, and by car and arrived in the capital, then head to Austria.
After a period settled in Vienna, they settled in apartments and began to include with Austrian society and learn the language and perform musical projects under the Salam Soul band
.
Tara Monica, younger sister, 13 years old. Today she is one of the most famous Iraqi and Arab singers. She began her career when she was nine years old and now sings in forums and festivals. As a gifted child with a the voice, she carries the message of love, hope, peace and happiness in an environment full of the wreckage of war and racism.
Tara has seen great success in a children's TV program, but the only concern has increased threats of violence and death towards her, her family and her brothers.
Tara is still under threat from the insurgent militias in Baghdad, fighting their dreams and ambitions. Her success is now a threat to her family's life. The beauty she created has brought hatred and violence, turning her success into danger. At a concert in Baghdad, in the New Year in the public square of the event, which was called My Wish, the militias attacked thousands of spectators and were unable to spread their desire for peace. And threatened not to carry out its duties again.
In a YouTube video, Ahmed called for my donations - so he could save his family, he says.
Tara's desperate wish now is simply to complete her studies and live here in Canada, at peace with her family. My mother and father, my sister Esra, Tara, I would reunite in Canada, where we can be free to make art again. We would like to continue the traditions of our family and culture without fear of the consequences for our lives. Thank you for your attention and your contribution. With Light and Love, Ahmed Monica.
We are trying to find Sarah to take care of the Monica family, an Iraqi family, about to flee Iraq. They will live in Turkey at the end of February 2017. We are a group of 5 Canadians who want to help our close friend Ahmed Monika (a refugee himself who can not return to Iraq) to bring his family to Canada. We have the funds to care for his 2 parents, 2 sisters, we only need to sah to
work with.
Who is the Monica family? started a love between two people and agreed to build a family that believes in positive, compassionate, peace and creativity. The basic belief is that art is a way to spread beauty, optimism and positive energy.
the father Salah Monika (63) the mother Salama (52) now they are suffering from a lot of chronic stress due to their dangerous condition. These three children were forced to leave Iraq. He is prohibited from working in his field as a representative. This has seriously affected their psychological financial situation.
Salah Monika is a famous comedian who began his career in 1975 and has since been one of the most popular comedians in Iraq.
Salama, She has sacrificed much to raise her family with wisdom, trust, mentality and empowerment to help others. she was a model at the Iraqi fashion house before her marriage to Salah, she stopped her career because Iran,Iraq war 1980-1988, she does not accept belonging to any political party and her desire to be a good mother all is enough to end her career as a model.
There has been an increase in violence and volatility with groups that exploit Islam, especially the militias and terrorism. These groups have already spread through the country and the city eith the fear and hatred, and this is exactly the opposite of how the Monica family and what they believe, they believes in peace, love, good work, positive energy, help and healing.
This family grew up with the mystical spirituality of Sufism, which is transparent and artistic. This contributed to the introduction of the Monica family through the spread of love, smiles and forgiveness.
Sara Monica she is a first daughter to have been born and worked extensively with social organizations helping the poor and the needy. Currently, Sarah is a pregnant mother living in southern Iraq.
Asra 29 is a university teacher and co-founder of the film department in, the University of Barsa. the Anti-Sufi militias attacked the university's music department, as well as the music and film institutions in Basrah. After that, the families received personal threats also. Asra was forced to flee to Baghdad to support her family, especially to support her younger sister Tara.
Mohammed he is the first boy to have a third child. He is a director and is currently a permanent resident of Vienna, Austria
Ahmed, he the fourth born child is a famous actor and now a refugee in Toronto, Canada. The Canadian Government has granted him refugee status pending a permanent residence card.
Mahmoud he is the youngest and fifth son and has been a professional handball player in Iraq and is now a professional musician. Go to Vienna, Austria. With his brother Muhammad where he is now a permanent resident as well.
Tara, the youngest of 13 years and a famous Arab singer in the Arab countries, studied at the School of Music and Ballet in Baghdad, and participated in many festivals, concerts and fundraising campaign.
Monica's family was an active family of Iraqi society and believed in peace. Their artistic and cultural belief and his message of love, beauty and forgiveness among different denominations of people. This has caused life threats to the boys at first, then the entire family, especially Tara, which is why the boys reside in Europe and Canada now.
In view of the high risk of the situation and the increase of militias, the union of this family was dismantled and is now in critical condition. I reached a level of unbearable danger if they stayed in Baghdad and the rest of the family decided to flee to Turkey. Salah, Salama, Asra and Tara hope to go to Turkey and live in peace to file refugee applications with UNHCR to eventually join their son Ahmed in Canada to continue their lives and aspirations filled with love, peace, hope and positive spiritual energy within them to reunite the family.