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Samuel Aranda for The New York Times via Reuters
A woman holding a wounded relative during protests in Sanaa, Yemen, on October 15, 2011.
The international jury of the 55th annual World Press Photo Contest announced Friday that it had selected a picture by Samuel Aranda as the World Press Photo of the Year 2011.
Samuel Aranda / EPA, file
An undated self portrait by photographer Samuel Aranda.
Jurors said the photo of a veiled woman holding a wounded relative in her arms after a demonstration in Yemen captured multiple facets of the "Arab Spring" uprisings across the Middle
The winning photo was selected from 101,254 images submitted by 5,247 photographers from 124 countries.
Aranda, a freelance photographer from Spain, traveled to Yemen on assignment for The New York Times. In December he gave an interview to the newspaper about the difficulties of working in Yemen—and the warmth of its people.
"What I would really like is for this photo to help the people of Yemen," he told The British Journal of Photography after learning of the award. "I think it's a country that is often forgotten."
Jury chair Aidan Sullivan said: "The winning photo shows a poignant, compassionate moment, the human consequence of an enormous event, an event that is still going on. We might never know who this woman is, cradling an injured relative, but together they become a living image of the courage of ordinary people that helped create an important chapter in the history of the Middle East."
Vincent Boisot / AP
View the award winning images selected by World Press Photo.
Leave a Comment:
Well, not a surprise that they would use this image as the winner. Seriously?!?!? More pushing to get people to understand and accept this so-called peaceful religion. People commenting about the Middle East's struggles and blah blah blah. Wake the hell up! These "peaceful" people have been killing their own since the time began and will continue to do so. Their struggle has NOTHING to do with freedom, it has to do with implementing even stricter violent Islamist Law. It has been happening all over, their so-called freedom is Sharia Law through strict Islam teachings. It is immoral, disgusting and oppressive. And before all you hacks even comment, I have been studying Islam and the Middle East for 5 years. there is nothing you are going to say that will convince me otherwise. History, their conduct and their religious beliefs provide all the proof one needs. Learn a little about TRUE Islam before you bash people who do not support!
Instead of studying Islam, why not talk to actual people? They may surprise you yet!
All the comments about how this woman is creepy and forced slavery.....I dare you to say the same thing about a nun or other religious sects that have similar modesty clause. Why do you find it necessary to disrespect Muslim women?!
False comparison.
There is an element of choice in other religions. Women can practice Catholicism without becoming a nun, and those who wish to be a nun have FREE CHOICE to do so. They are not compelled by the goverment to become nuns & wear habits. They are not stoned or beaten or killed if they choose a more secular path in life.
Until Muslim women are free to choose whether they wish to be covered head to toe, with no punishment or repercussions associated with choosing to wear more revealing clothing....
Then yes, it's a problem. It's not slavery, but it's wrong and it needs to stop.
Also, not for nothin', but I've yet to see a habit that covers a nun's entire face.
Not false. I don't believe in Christianity it's ok to wear a bikini. Yet Christian women do it. You can either be free and do what your heart desires or follow scripture. No middle ground when you're talking about divine directives. It's fine if you're atheist, don't claim to be part of a religious group and start moving the line as you see fit.
Oh please Say What. PLEASE! I know an islamic woman practices and everything from Bolivia named Aida who wears a bikini! LOL. PLEASE! Don't like and act like all Muslim women cover. You know why she wears a bikini? BECAUSE SHE'S AN AMERICAN AND HAS THAT RIGHT!
"Thats not a woman.....thats a man , Man."
The picture shows the humanity of every person, regardless of location and religion.
I disagree with forcing women to completely cover their bodies, but I can understand the Muslim position. Here in the U.S. women walk around, displaying their sexuality by showing their bodies. Women find their self-worth in their appearance and the reactions they get from men. For a woman to be reduced to the lusts of man is a despicable life.
The women who cover up their bodies, hopefully find their worth in more important ways and hopefully are not being lusted after by every man. I wonder who is more free.
I would just wish that some day people from all over don't have to suffer. It doesn't have to be like this but human greed for wealth and power are always the dirveing point.
I thank God often that I was born in the United States. I have had the opportunity to visit many other countries im my life time. I have seen things that are absolutely unbelieveable for me yet common to those in that country. We have so much to be thankful for. And alot to learn from other cultures.
At first I thought it was a man french kissing a leather high back chair. Now, I'm not so sure.
Thanks for my laugh of the day!
you got to be $hitting me
They persecute their women and then run to them for comfort...pigs.
themagainstus - So you're saying Muslims just walk around persecuting women, never men and haphazardly??? Your comment makes no sense!
i think more accurately, they oppress the women. They persecute the Jews. I suppose if its a jewish woman, they could oppressecute.
You're on a roll! I'm still laughing from the last one.
Lunatics in burka's by the millions coming to your town very soon.
Along with the five a day prayer calls "sirens" that we all will have to listen too, and you will have NOTHING to say about it. Yep I can hardly wait for that. Don't believe me?, just ask anyone in Dear-born MI what they think about it.
Why don't we just leave America and give the country to the Mexicans and the Muslims because from what I'm seeing the US government is allowing them to take over the country anyway.
Freaks who are afraid to show their faces and lowlife drug dealing hooligans, yep we need more of them.
It's no joke.
All I take home from this photo is love and compassion conquers all. Don't know how people constru this, but each has his/her own opinion.
Um... are we sure this wasn't taken right before this Jihad freak sliced the poor guy's throat??? Hey man, don't blame me... you think stereotypes are just made up??? Pull out, let them kill each other, pave the entire Middle East into a huge parking lot, and enjoy the life that God has given us.
It is a very striking photo and worthy of winning, in my opinion. It shows humanity where Westerners, like myself, might not expect to see it. We've all seen women in burkas, but we rarely get to see the emotions breaking through the human cloak. And the burka makes the women seem so unapproachable to us, especially for the type of embrace he is giving her. But he knows her, and for him it is like the burka is not even there. It shows emotion and compassion seemingly breaking the rules that we associate with Muslim women in Muslim countries. This image captures that there is a real person in the burka and that humanity exists everywhere in the world, regardless of religion or politics. Brilliant photo!
Darth Vadar would be proud of that garb she's sporting, the only thing missing is the chest plate....
The shame should be that of those who force women intothat garb....you see them on tthe streets of Cairo begging because of some infraction that they MAY have commited ......cast aside ....truely cutting off noses ( and other parts) of women is part of the Diversity we will be asked to accept....
Very interesting picture. However, to me it looks staged. Like that moment did happen and the photographer told them to do it again except this time hold your arms this way. I fail to see how women in these "cult religions" can actually have feelings of compassion or love for men that abuse them. Maybe thats what makes this picture interesting. The womans thoughts should be go off and kill all of yourselves you idiots and us women will survive. Or more interesting is the man is in pain and anguish and turning to a person that has these same feelings forced upon her all of her life and has always been a victim. Under that black garment that woman is probably smiling.
Sounds like you need to get off that computer True, and go visit the world. You sound like you are cooped up all day in your own little patriotic world. If you did open yourself up to new cultures and countries, you would not be so judgemental, fearful, and wrong.
What?! Are you saying this was staged? That a Muslim woman who dresses differently than our Western culture can't feel compassion, and pain. Muslims can't hurt? And who says she is the victim? Victim from what? This dress code was actually dictated from the ancient Hebrew Law. A woman must cover herself. And frankly, it is most refreshing in a country like America, where a 50 year old woman with sagging breasts, lots of celulite, long polished fingernails, heavy makeup and perfume, walks into a grocery store, wearing short shorts, heels, and a cleavage exposed. This Western culture puts so much emphasis on beauty, youth and sex. This emphasis can result in ridiculousness.
I want to share a beautiful scene. I was visiting my local Home Depot this week. I passed the weed and feed aisle and I noticed three beautifully dressed women, obviously Muslim, covered head to toe, and respectively discussing the best product to kill ants. Standing tall and obviously bestowing his wisdom, was an American male, with a short, military style haircut. This man was not affected by the "Muslim" dress of the women, and like you True, put off, afraid, and prejudice. No, he treated these women with respect and dignity. I heard him even name off a few reputable exterminators in our community. He was a regular guy, just a customer, and I was proud of how he represented our community. BTW, this is a city in Arizona.
Can anyone interpret the writing on his arm?
What I see from this photo is strength, faith, and compassion, in the midst of struggle. I see this struggle as a universal affliction for all nations. As long as we stick together, and hold each other up, we will make it.
A wonderful photo. I so admire the art of photography, especially capturing a real human moment. It's true, a picture can speak to our heart, without saying a word.
It's a beautiful dream partner but don't fool yourself, they'll cut you and your childrens heads off in a heartbeat.
Any time compassion exists it's a good thing. I think in the darkest of situations feelings can surface, and I see that as hope.
When I see this picture, I react first, as a mother holding a child, then as a woman who has pretty much been stripped of her own identity. It is both sad and shocking on so many levels.
Photography is a very powerful media. This photo speaks more about the persecution of women in muslim society; than it does about the struggle of the arab men who have fought against each other since the dawn of time. Mohammed saw this back in his time. That is why he wandered around the Arab world trying to make peace. But because his message was full of violence and hatred for everyone that didn't believe exactly what he believed (infidels), it didn't accomplish what he was trying to do. These people will continue to kill each other until they finally realize that Allah is a child's tail dreamed up by a man with good intentions, but still a man with his own idea about how the world should be. Same as Jesus, Moses, Budda and the rest. Once religion no longer dominates politics in all parts of the world; mankind can finally move forward to a world of peace and mutual consideration. Sharia law needs to be wiped off of the face of this planet now! Women are the most precious beings on Earth and to see them treated the way the muslim religion treats them is a red stain on humanity. The rest of the world should come up in arms against Sharia law where ever it exists. And when these Muslim men try to force it on other countries, they should be decapitated with a dull machete every time! Send the message loud and clear it will not be tolerated in a civilized society! France has the right idea, Burkas need to be outlawed. A veil or a scarf is one thing, a burka is slave garment that should not be tolerated anywhere.
It is sickening and heart breaking to read some of the negative and ignorant comments some people leave about this. I don't understand how anyone can comment in certain ways (such as suggesting that the women in the photo is being forced to wear the burka...) My question to you is that HOW DO YOU KNOW she is being forced? DO YOU AT ALL think that just maybe that this woman that has an mind and soul of her own has chosen to conserve herself rather than display herself in a way that dehumanizes her personna and equates her with primates?? Is it possible that these people leaving these comments nead to know certain situations prior to commenting in such an ignorant way?
Any time compassion exists it's a good thing. I think in the darkestof situations feelings can surface, and I see that as hope.
Any time compassion exists it's a good thing. I think in the darkestof situations feelings can surface, and I see that as hope.
Again, I just can't see how people say how the pic is full of feelings/emotion/hope/contrast between Arab nations and the Western culture. That there's a woman in that outfit that she's wearing and she has feelings. Duh --like we don't know that but just what type of feelings is she expressing?
Again, we don't know what she's feeling because either delibertly or by accident the photographer refused to capture the heart and soul of the woman via her eyes.
Maybe it was because in her eyes there was no feelings/emotion/hope and therefore he wanted to simply "portray" and "imply" that type of behavior. If this is the case I 'd say the pic should win "Best Propaganda Picture of the Year".