Khozga Hasan, 24, picked up photography as a hobby, “photographing the beautiful things I was coming across,” she explained. “I admire photography. I believe one will succeed in doing anything one does with love and passion.”
Her passion became a profession, taking her to the frontlines in the war against ISIS, after an encounter with a wounded Peshmerga.
“A Peshmerga from east [Iranian] Kurdistan had lost one of his hands in the war on ISIS. After 18 days, he went back to fighting on the fronts against ISIS,” she recalled.
Wanting to document his story, she went to the front with him several times. “I continued doing this as a professional photographer. My aim was to keep the bravery of the Peshmerga alive.”
Impressed by his persistence “to protect Kurdistan without anticipating any reward,” Hasan said she decided to use her skills, staying on the frontlines “with the eagles of east Kurdistan and fight like them to protect my Kurdish identity.”
One of her photos of the Peshmerga won a photography competition.
“I have worked in two areas: portrait – working on eyes and different expressions – and photojournalism. In doing the latter, I wanted to show the bravery of the Peshmerga. Different from all the other photographers, I worked only with volunteering forces, especially those from east Kurdistan,” Hasan explained.
“I am very impressed by the Peshmerga, who are symbols of pride and protection of Kurdish honour. I am amazed by those who remained on fronts and fought against terrorism despite their difficult lives and lack of salaries. I am especially impressed by volunteer Peshmerga brothers and sisters from east Kurdistan,” she said.
