On Wednesday November 29th, award-winning journalist and photographer Mohammed Omer spoke at the Center Congregational Church in Brattleboro. Speaking before a crowd of about 30-35 people, Omer, shared his experiences in Gaza, living under the Israeli Occupation, and why journalism was his calling. It's been 48 hours since the event and I'm still processing what I saw and heard. Omer's life, his experiences, and his stories shook my soul to the core... and for that I'm thankful.

Mohammed Omer, 22, was born and raised in the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip near the Egyptian border. The oldest of eight children, Mohammed began working to support his family at age six when his father was in an Israeli prison. In time, Mohammed landed a job at a backpack factory and since then, Mohhamed has built an impressive resume as a translator, journalist, and program coordinator.

"Thank You Mohammed. Salaam and good luck!"

At 17, he began translating for Global Exchange delegations to Gaza, traveling dignitaries, and foreign reporters. At 18, he began writing regularly for the international media, first with the now defunct Social Nerve. Mohammed's works can now be found in dozens of newspapers and magazines worldwide such as the Vermont Guardian, The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, ArtVoice Weekly, the online magazine Electronic Intifada, Norwegian and Swedish dailies.

Mohammed has also appeared as an on-the-ground radio correspondent for Free Speech Radio News, BBC Radio, BBC Scotland Radio and many more.

His photos have appeared regularly in various news agencies, including the Agence France-Presse wire service and today he is known for his influential blog Rafah Today. He has also been honored by the New American Media as the "Best Youth Voice" for 2006.

After the event, I got a chance to talk some more with Mohammed and here's what he had to say.

patagonianomore: What was it that brought you to journalism and photography?

Mohammed: First of all, life forced me to be a journalist. Mainly I was not intended to be a journalist. I wasn't dreaming of my life to be one.

patagonianomore: What was the spark that lead to your calling?

Mohammed: Seeing the [Palestinian] houses being demolished. Seeing the children being killed. Seeing people being slaughtered and there was no coverage. People have no clue. People don't understand. Even within Palestine people do not understand at the begining of the Intifada . People did not know what is happening there. You would not know what the shelling and what the bombing is all about. So I had to switch my dreams of being a translator for the International Red Cross since I was at the age of six. I was training to be a one and then I changed because I wanted to show the truth of the worldto make people understand what' going on.

patagonianomore: Now, what do you think is the biggest gap between American citizens knowledge of Palestine, the Mid East crisis and what is actually happening in Palestine? What is your goal in coming to the U.S.?

Mohammed: Well my goal is to build a bridge of understanding between both American and Palestinian people. And this is mainly to make people understand the reality of the situation and to present something they have not seen before and to show the fact that they don't know about the Middle East, what the conflict in Palestine is all about, and the Israeli crimes committed against humanity every single day. So this is my most important thing.

patagonianomore: One of the things that really shocked me is the attacks on defenseless children. I remember vividly the images of Israeli soldiers attacking them when they clearly did not pose a threat whatsoever. Why do Israeli soldiers shoot at them WHEN THEY KNOW they do not pose any harm?

Mohammed: Because they want to kill. That's all. Because they want every Palestinian to die. They want to kill every Palestinian child. They know this is a child. They know this is an ambulance driver. They know that person is an ambulance driver and this person is a child and this person is so peaceful. But they still continue. They want to kill and to bomb and destroy all people.

-- short pause in the conversation --

patagonianomore: This is an interview for IBrattleboro, an Internet citizen journalism site. People are getting more information today than they ever have been and in my mind, IBrattleboro has made an impact.

Do you feel the same, that the Internet has played a major role in exposing reality in Palestine & Israel today as oppose to in the past?

Mohammed: The Internet is helping quite a lot right now. Before when there was no Internet, it was very difficult to get the word out. Now there are hundreds of blogs and Internet websites where you can see lots of information. People are sharing information [with each other], showing photos, showing videos as well of all different kinds. So the Internet has helped make a link of understanding and has made life much easier.

patagonianomore: Have you considered other avenues to get your message out? I know video and writing has been a big part. But have you looked at other alternatives as well? A book perhaps?

Mohammed: Um, I'll give you an example of that I'm doing. I guess you could call it "The Tears of Minors: Gaza Under Israeli Occupation" and I'm hoping I can finish it by the coming September. I'm hoping to show it as a film. I'm also considering an opportunity of making a more comprehensive website or network for all over... with individual work not only me, but to find somebody like me, like myself who can do website work and can publish photos from all over Palestine, West Bank, and Gaza so we can show more stories, features, and photos. I'm sure it will need funds because this is not an easy issue ... I hope I will be able to succeed. But in spite of that, I am doing a lot of radio interviews; I'm reporting for BBC Scotland and BBC most of the time; and I'm doing this tour as well.

patagonianomore: I know another journalist mentioned that our newly elected Congressman Peter Welch declined an invitation and was unable to get a staffer to attend ***. If there was anything you tell him tonight, what would it be... what could you tell him... why are you here in Brattleboro?

***Special Note: This person also noted that Peter Welch accepted campaign contributions from AIPAC (American Israeli Public Affairs Committee) during the 2006 Election. AIPAC is a special interest group that lobbies the United States Government in favor of maintaining a close US-Israel relationship. It has also been the source of much controversy and criticism, because of its heavy political influence.

Mohammed: I'm here mainly to make a bridge of understanding and to make this part of the bridge and to build it and so we can understand each other more closely. Because we cannot make someone speak for us and this is the time for us make the world understand the conflict and to make the world aware what we are facing every single day. In addition to that, I was also hoping also to meet with him [Peter Welch] and maybe let him see the video and the photos and to show the suffering so that can tell people that they can put pressure on the government, try talking to them, and spread the word out. And [most of all] to show all this injustice in Palestine. I'm very sorry that I was not able to meet with him. I would have loved to have the opportunity to meet him, and sadly I will not.

patagonianomore: OK last question and that is, what is the most important thing you think Vermonters can do to raise awareness and bring a greater understanding of the situation in Palestine? What would you recommend?

Mohammed: I would want people to contact their Senators. For example to tell them the sitaution in Gaza. To put pressure on the media to cover the whole situation regarding the conflict and what's going on there EVERY SINGLE DAY and to make people put pressure on the U.S. government to stop supporting Israel and to crack down Israel; To put pressure on them to stop attacks; To make Israel respect international laws; and to make Israel respect the Human Rights Conventions including the Geneva Conventions, which they are not respecting at all. There are prisoners rights, childrens rights, they should all be respected! And to make Israel leave the areas around the borders and to back off and freedom for all people. And I would add also them to support the United States to support Palestinians in the infrastructure and re-build their society.

To learn more about Mohammed Omer and his writings go to:

Rafah Today
The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs
Vermont Guardian

Thank you very much Mohammed. Salaam and good luck!