In 2018, a then 15-year-old Muhammad made headlines and caught the world's attention with his social media footage of the Syrian War He documented the ongoing destruction, using only a camera phone to chronicle what was occurring around him. His efforts to spread awareness and tell the full story of what was happening in Syria went viral and garnered international attention.
Teaming up with co-author Nora Neus, a reporter who was largely responsible for breaking his story, and illustrator Julie Robine, Muhammad will share further of his story with the release of Muhammad Najem, War Reporter. The graphic memoir focuses on much of Muhammad's life, beginning with his childhood in Syria.
As the book reveals, Muhammad was just eight when the Syrian conflict began. At the age of 13, his father was killed in a bombing while praying. Two years later, Muhammad started documenting the war, feeling a determination to reveal what families were experiencing. Although Muhammad currently resides in Istanbul, he has continued his journalism work.
Muhammad revealed that Nora had approached him about creating the book in 2019. “I never did a book and I had never even met a writer, so the idea was unbelievable…I was shocked."
To create the book, Muhammad shared stories of his life with Nora. As for which scene is Muhammad's favorite, he pointed to one particularly harrowing video that occurred when a bomb fell directly behind him. “I was shooting videos,” he says, adding, “It was kind of scary, but at the same time, I didn't even feel that the bomb had fallen, because I was shooting. That was one of my favorite videos.”
Nora pointed to a tender family moment as her favorite scene, “Muhammad's brother found this parrot and brought it home as a pet and their father didn't want them to keep it. He thought it was gonna be a mess. And over the course of the beginning of the book, their father falls in love with the parrot as well, and teaches the parrot to speak."
Muhammad revealed that Nora had approached him about creating the book in 2019. “I never did a book and I had never even met a writer, so the idea was unbelievable…I was shocked."
To create the book, Muhammad shared stories of his life with Nora. As for which scene is Muhammad's favorite, he pointed to one particularly harrowing video that occurred when a bomb fell directly behind him. “I was shooting videos,” he says, adding, “It was kind of scary, but at the same time, I didn't even feel that the bomb had fallen, because I was shooting. That was one of my favorite videos.”
Nora pointed to a tender family moment as her favorite scene, “Muhammad's brother found this parrot and brought it home as a pet and their father didn't want them to keep it. He thought it was gonna be a mess. And over the course of the beginning of the book, their father falls in love with the parrot as well, and teaches the parrot to speak."
Reflecting on what originally inspired him to begin filming, the journalist says, “It was kind of fun at the beginning. Later on, it turned into something I must do. It's kind of hell for my people.”
He hoped to show a different side to Syria through his videos, saying, “Syria, is a heaven for me, and media shows the bombs, the killings, and this other side of Syria. We are not a violent people, we started the war asking for democracy, and I think everyone should have democracy. We have to get our freedom. Without freedom, we cannot live. Other people should look at Syria differently. We are a generous, kind people."
Muhammad says that he has dreams of continuing his journalism work into the future. For those eyeing his journey and contemplating starting something at a younger age, he has some words of encouragement. “Age is not important,” he says. “A lot of children are responsible for the children in our world, and if you look at the Syrian Revolution, it started because of children. Children can do a lot of things.” '
He hoped to show a different side to Syria through his videos, saying, “Syria, is a heaven for me, and media shows the bombs, the killings, and this other side of Syria. We are not a violent people, we started the war asking for democracy, and I think everyone should have democracy. We have to get our freedom. Without freedom, we cannot live. Other people should look at Syria differently. We are a generous, kind people."
Muhammad says that he has dreams of continuing his journalism work into the future. For those eyeing his journey and contemplating starting something at a younger age, he has some words of encouragement. “Age is not important,” he says. “A lot of children are responsible for the children in our world, and if you look at the Syrian Revolution, it started because of children. Children can do a lot of things.” '
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