In this very personal episode of Arabs in Media, I return to Iraq, the country of my heritage, from the home in Baghdad where my father grew up, to sit down with my cousin Ahmed for a conversation that is was as unplanned as it was inspiring. Together, we unpack a story that intertwines family, grief, and acts of service in the midst of bombing.

In 2003, on the cusp of the US-led invasion on Iraq, Ahmed’s life was forever changed, not only from the drums of war beating louder each day, but with a tragedy born from efforts to protect his family.

Hours later, with a satellite phone in hand, Ahmed became an unintentional lifeline for countless families around the world who had been passed his number as one of the only ways to check to see if their family was dead or alive.

Steeped in the history of our family home, the Tigris River, and of Baghdad itself—we reflect on the legacy left by our ancestors. It's a story about the weight of loss, the resilience of the Iraqi people, and the power of human connection among family and strangers alike.

Echoes of Baghdad marks the beginning of Season Two of Arabs in Media, with an intimate look at Iraq through the lens of family, history, and resilience. Listen on all podcast platforms, and subscribe to Arabs in Media on Substack to comment and learn more about Ahmed's story.

📸 Learn more about the home, now a center for art, culture, music and more: @AlWattar.Heritage.House

📩 Subscribe to Arabs in Media to comment, engage, and learn more about Ahmed's story and the A.I.M. community.

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About the host:

Hazem Jamal is a first-generation Iraqi-American who worked in as a programming exec in American radio for many years.

Hazem founded Arabs in Media to offer an independent platform for new stories, information and entertainment missing in corporate media.

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