The 2011 World Press Photo: A study of a modern-day Hagar in Yemen through the prism of collective memory in Islam. (1st September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mielczarek, Natalia
• Is Part Of: Journal of Arab & Muslim media research. Volume 6:Number 2/3(2013)
• Page Start: 217
• Page End: 232
• Publication Date: 2013-09-01
• Subjects: Mass media -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Arab countries -- Periodicals; Communication -- Arab countries -- Periodicals; Islam -- Periodicals; 302.23089927
• DOI: 10.1386/jammr.6.2-3.217_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-9411

Abstract

This project offers historical and visual rhetorical analyses of the 2011 World Press Photo, arguing the award-winning image echoes one of the most central collective memories within Islam: that of Hagar, the mother of all Arabs. The article posits that the woman in the photo is the modern-day Hagar who exemplifies strength, courage and independence, much like her predecessor millennia ago. In that, the woman, as captured in the winning image, creates a countermemory to the dominant collective memory of a Muslim woman in Yemen, who has emerged over the years as dominated by men and in need of protection. The analysis puts the 2011 World Press Photo within the Islam-centric context of interpretation, suggesting that looking at it only through the Christian-centred perspective, as was done in the West, robs the image of its polysemic qualities.