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The Search: Part 2 : Rough Translation A fragile alliance begins to fracture, as a romantic photo of Kamaran resurfaces. Ahmed confronts his family. And Sebastian meets with ISIS.

* Note: This story contains strong language and sounds of war.

Rough Translation

The Search: Part 2

season 3, episode 6

The Search: Part 2

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When An Iraqi Journalist Goes Missing

Check out our slideshow to view pictures of Kamaran, Ahmed, Sebastian as well as some of Kamaran's own photography.

  • This is Kamaran Najm.
    This is Kamaran Najm.
    Sebastian Meyer/Sebastian Meyer
  • Ahmed Najm (left) with his older brother Kamaran Najm.
    Ahmed Najm (left) with his older brother Kamaran Najm.
    Sebastian Meyer/Sebastian Meyer
  • Kamaran founded Iraq's first photo agency, Metrography. Rather than focusing on scenes of war that dominate the headlines, he captured images of everyday life in Iraq.
    Kamaran founded Iraq's first photo agency, Metrography. Rather than focusing on scenes of war that dominate the headlines, he captured images of everyday life in Iraq.
    Kamaran Najm/Metrography
  • People continuing their daily routines, at play, and at work, despite the war... like this oil field worker.
    People continuing their daily routines, at play, and at work, despite the war... like this oil field worker.
    Kamaran Najm/Metrography
  • Kamaran's photos captured sides of people you don't always see — like this candid photo of a sheikh greeting western tourists to his home in Baghdad, Iraq.
    Kamaran's photos captured sides of people you don't always see — like this candid photo of a sheikh greeting western tourists to his home in Baghdad, Iraq.
    Kamaran Najm/Kamaran Najm/Metrography
  • Kamaran was also known for his charisma. He could talk to anyone, convince anyone to let him take their picture. These oil smugglers on the border of Iraq and Iran tried to remain unnoticed, but Kamaran befriended them, and they allowed him to do a photo series on their smuggling operation.
    Kamaran was also known for his charisma. He could talk to anyone, convince anyone to let him take their picture. These oil smugglers on the border of Iraq and Iran tried to remain unnoticed, but Kamaran befriended them, and they allowed him to do a photo series on their smuggling operation.
    Kamaran Najm/Metrography

1 of 6

* Note: This is the second part in our series about a missing Iraqi photojournalist, Kamaran Najm. You can find the first episode here. Also, this story contains strong language and sounds of war.

A journalist goes missing in Iraq, and it's up to his friends and family to figure out how to find him.

But as the search goes on, the team must confront the wider game that they are part of. Both Iraqi authorities and ISIS seem to be using the search team for their own ends. Does continuing to search for their friend mean that other people will get hurt?

Further Reading:

  • Sebastian Meyer documents the story of Kamaran and the past decade of Kurdish history in Under Every Yard Of Sky.
  • Free Press Unlimited is an organization that helps journalists who have been threatened and searches for them when they go missing.