Handing it to War

Photo essay: Surviving civilian victims of the Iran-Iraq War

by Mehdi Monem
27-Oct-2009
 

Mehdi Monem's portraits of victims of the Iran-Iraq War are the result of years of effort. He was a photojournalist during that 8-year war and documented its impact on the people of Iran. With the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross, 96 of these portraits have been published in a collection titled "Victims of War". The objective is to pay more attention to defense-less civilians, prevent attacks on them during war, and ultimately spread the message of peace and friendship.

عکسهای قربانیان جنگ عراق و ایران حاصل تلاش چندین ساله مهدی منعم عکاس ایرانی است. او که از جنگ هشت ساله دو کشورنیز عکاسی کرده، سالها در ارتباط با آثار جنگ و تاثیر آن بر مردم ایران عکس هایی تهیه کرده که با حمایت دفتر کمیته بین المللی صلیب سرخ در تهران کتابی با عنوان قربانیان جنگ با 96 قطعه عکس در 112 صفحه به صورت سیاه و سفید و به منظور توجه بیشتر به غیر نظامیان بی دفاع و عدم حمله به آنها در جنگ و ستیزها و در نهایت با پیام صلح و دوستی و زندگی در آرامش به چاپ رسیده است. کتاب قربانیان جنگ از سه بخش: قربانیان غیر نظامی مین های زمینی،قربانیان غیرنظامی بمباران ها و حملات موشکی به شهرها و قربانیان غیر نظامی سلاح های شیمیایی تشکیل شده است.عکس ها در ارتباط با مردم غیر نظامی پنج استان هم مرز با عراق است که در نتیجه جنگ دچار معلولیت و مصدومیت شده اند می باشد.

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maziar 58

......

by maziar 58 on Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:14 PM PDT

.................

forgive but not forget.;                    Maziar


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American Dream

Iran Iraq war

by American Dream on Thu Oct 29, 2009 07:59 PM PDT

The Iran Iraq war is over.  It is 2009.  Iran and Iraq have a friendly relationship now.  Let us hope the kind relationship between the two countries continues.


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Azarin Sadegh

Disturbing...yet unforgettable!

by Azarin Sadegh on Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:53 AM PDT

Thank you so much for sharing your incredible art with us!

Your pictures are moving, heartbreaking to the point of being totally disturbing...but I think it just proves your genius! These images are unforgettable, stunning, and painful to watch! At the same time, as we move away from this page, we simply realize that no one could ever survive a war.

Thanks again, Azarin

 


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AMIR1973

Mola Nasredeen: What Saddam started, Khomeini continued

by AMIR1973 on Wed Oct 28, 2009 08:27 PM PDT

Indeed, the Iran-Iraq war was an enormous tragedy for our people (and the Iraqis too). Indeed, you are correct to blame arms manufacturers in Europe, U.S., China, and Eastern bloc countries. However, after Iraqi forces were expelled from Iran in 1982-83, Iraq offered terms to Iran to end the war--terms that were rather favorable to Iran. However, Khomeini refused to accept these terms and instead urged the continuation of the war to liberate Karbala and from there to Qods. Most of the casualties and damage done to Iran was done in the years 1983-88.

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Khar

WAR is HELL!!!

by Khar on Wed Oct 28, 2009 07:53 PM PDT


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iranbrave

all wars are destructive & inhumane

by iranbrave on Wed Oct 28, 2009 04:27 PM PDT

Mr. Monem,

Many thanks for sharing with us such powerful photos! It seems that it is only the ordinary people who pay the price of any war. For what?! For the selfish and infinite greed of some maniacs!


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ramintork

Remarkable pictures

by ramintork on Wed Oct 28, 2009 03:21 PM PDT

The juxtaposition with other members of family makes these people real and not just victims.

These photos have so much human depth, they show the mastery of the photographer in that despite capturing the heart of the subject, there is nothing that appears contrived about the result.

There is a subtle poetry in this human tragedy, even an element of black comedy. Style wise it could fit very well within the Magnum publications.

#4 Man and woman with missing legs,

#7 That portrait and posture is iconic

#11 with the juxtaposition of an iconic middle eastern concept of beauty against the woman with missing limb.

# 20 with the beautiful inquisitive eye of a child against a background of a man that has his mouth covered.

 


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Eradatmand

Robust yet sad...

by Eradatmand on Wed Oct 28, 2009 02:00 PM PDT

This peregrination on path of war leaves the viewer a gloomy effect. It is real. Its strength comes from the black and white images that reflect the subtle dominance of truth. Hopefully Mr. Monem will bring more of the healing into view, by focusing on future and new generation, because life has to go on.

Eradatmand


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Mola Nasredeen

Victims of Wars..

by Mola Nasredeen on Wed Oct 28, 2009 01:42 PM PDT

of all wars including the victims of Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and now Pakistan's wars. All located in the Middle East and all muslim countries being occupied, bombed and destroyed. In every war, I've learned, we need to find out who's profiting from it. Those individauls, corporations and nations are the real war criminal.

Today's news: Israel drone to by used by Germany in Afghanistan: //news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091028/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_germany_drone 


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default

Mr. Monem, Your

by Sid Sarshar on Wed Oct 28, 2009 09:28 AM PDT

Mr. Monem,

Your photographs WILL make a difference in this world.  I know that is the reason you took these images.  Keep up the good work


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Neda ye Iran e Azad

Incredibly powerful

by Neda ye Iran e Azad on Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:19 PM PDT

I couldn't stop crying when I saw the photo of the blind boy... You are a gifted photographer. Thank you for the meaningful work... 

سبز سبز تا بهار


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yolanda

.......

by yolanda on Tue Oct 27, 2009 09:08 PM PDT

Thank you for the powerful and poignant images! It is so sad that I/I war has killed and maimed so many people....captions are not needed for these pictures....hopefully no more bloody wars...

Thanks for posting this collection of photos.


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kfravon

this must be shared with the world!

by kfravon on Tue Oct 27, 2009 09:05 PM PDT

indeed painful to watch, but quite an eye-opener!

i'll be checking out "able" next..

 

thank you!


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pars35

Amazing pictures - Like Carved in the stone

by pars35 on Tue Oct 27, 2009 07:15 PM PDT

Every time I see new Pictures of Iran and Iraq war, I curse Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. At least one is in hell now

 

Picture 19, tells it all. Sorrow on mother's face, sister who ran out of
tears, and angry father. I feel for them.  May they find peace some day soon  


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benross

Thank you for sharing this

by benross on Tue Oct 27, 2009 05:00 PM PDT

Thank you for sharing this treasure.


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capt_ayhab

Mr. Siletz

by capt_ayhab on Tue Oct 27, 2009 02:40 PM PDT

I second that motion, Indeed they are teachers of heroism and survival.

What an amazingly wonderful work the artist has done.

-YT 


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Ari Siletz

تکان دهنده

Ari Siletz
Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:51 PM PDT

Pays respect to the subjects. They are teachers, not objects of pity.

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ZOODTAR

You can almost touch them!

by ZOODTAR on Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:52 PM PDT

Great Art!


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Aref-Adib

Amazing!

by Aref-Adib on Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:04 AM PDT

These are amazing photos.  Thanks for sharing!


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IRANdokht

how painful

by IRANdokht on Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:43 AM PDT

These pictures tell the heart-wrenching story of the irreparable damages of a war that should have never happened.

I hate war! any war, anywhere!

This is a remarkable work with a great purpose. Thanks! 

IRANdokht


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Darius Kadivar

FYI/PROFESSION: ARMS DEALER

by Darius Kadivar on Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:43 AM PDT

Former French PResident François Mitterand sold arms to both Iran and Iraq.

His Son has been convicted to 6 years along with former Minister of Interior Charles Pasqua for what is known today as the "Angola Gate"

//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8328314.stm

I wonder if those responsible for the sales that led to the death of 2 million Iranian and Iraqis in one of the most bloodiest and longest conflicts of the 20th century will EVER be convicted ?

Let's hope so one day ....


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Darius Kadivar

Some of His photos are currently at Musée Branly in Paris

by Darius Kadivar on Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:28 AM PDT

For the following exhibit "165 years of Iranian photography":

Standing still

I saw This particular photo on French TV report on the Quai Branly Exhibition :

//iranian.com/main/image/85403

Quite Impressing stuff and painful to watch.

 


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Jahanshah Javid

Extraordinary

by Jahanshah Javid on Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:20 AM PDT

Mehdi Monem has done humanity great service in documenting the impact of inhumanity in such a striking fashion.

One of the first of these series ["Able"] was published on iranian.com 12 years ago. I highly recommend you take a look.

And I'll never forget Monem's magnificent Isfahani cowboy on our second cover page :o)


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