How a new journalism scholarship aims to keep Shireen Abu Akleh’s legacy alive 

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Updated 12 June 2024
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How a new journalism scholarship aims to keep Shireen Abu Akleh’s legacy alive 

  • Palestinian-American reporter was shot dead by an Israeli soldier on May 11, 2022 while covering a raid in the West Bank
  • The Shireen Abu Akleh Foundation will provide ten annual scholarships to aspiring journalists and media professionals

DUBAI: It has been two years since the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. For her niece Lina Abu Akleh, her aunt’s death, which sent shockwaves around the world, “feels like it was just yesterday, but also feels like it was a lifetime ago.” 

On May 11, 2022, the former Al Jazeera reporter was shot dead by an Israeli soldier while covering a raid in a refugee camp in Jenin in the occupied West Bank, despite wearing a distinctive blue flak jacket embossed with the word “press.”

Initially, then-Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accused Palestinian fighters of shooting Shireen — an allegation that was quickly disproven by independent reports.

At the time, many called Shireen’s death “a black day” not only for Palestine but also for journalism and the wider news industry.




Palestinian mourners carry the casket of slain Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh from a church toward the cemetery, during her funeral procession in Jerusalem, on May 13, 2022. (AFP)

To highlight her important contribution to journalism, and to coincide with the second anniversary of her death, Shireen’s family launched a foundation in her honor devoted to helping young reporters break into the industry.

A central aim of the California-based Shireen Abu Akleh Foundation is to provide ten scholarships on an annual basis for Palestinian and international students who aspire to become journalists and media professionals. 

Under the motto “journalism is not a crime,” the foundation is raising funds and working in collaboration with media outlets and higher education institutions in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, the UK and Canada to reach top students for scholarship opportunities. 

“We wanted to launch a foundation to honor Shireen’s legacy, empower more journalists who want to continue their education in journalism, but also for people to remember who Shireen was, to remember her story, to remember what she stood for as a Palestinian-American female journalist,” Lina, who is the foundation’s co-founder, told Arab News.

The foundation aims to promote community empowerment by increasing access to education and inclusive spaces for students by connecting them with opportunities in the field of journalism.

It also aims to collaborate with communities to raise funds for students and to amplify public appreciation and recognition of journalistic talent.

Several universities and organizations around the world have already named courses and scholarships after Shireen, including Jordan’s Yarmouk University and Jordan Media Institute, the UK’s University of Exeter, Canada’s Carleton University, the West Bank’s Birzeit University, Lebanon’s American University of Beirut, and even the UN.




A reporter wearing a flak jacket with the hashtag in Arabic, “#Shireen Abu Akleh” takes a picture inside a house that was burnt during an Israeli military raid in the West Bank city of Jenin, on May 13, 2022. (AFP)

The foundation’s mission could not be more relevant today. According to Reporters Without Borders, more than 100 Palestinian journalists, including at least 22 in the line of duty, have been killed by the Israeli army since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel triggered Israel’s retaliatory operation in Gaza.

“I know how discouraging this might be for people out there who want to study journalism. But at the same time, that shouldn’t stand in the way of wanting to study journalism, because there is no truth without journalism,” said Lina, who is herself a journalist.

In 2022, Lina landed a spot in Time Magazine’s “Next 100” List, highlighting emerging personalities in the fields of art, innovation and leadership. Lina says she doesn’t want to be known as an activist but simply as “Shireen’s niece.”

FastFact

  • More than 100 Palestinian journalists, including at least 22 in the line of duty, have been killed by the Israeli army since Oct. 7.

Source: Reporters Without Borders

The two were very close, she says, speaking every day, playing the online game “Wordle,” and enjoying Sunday lunches with family. She remembers her aunt as caring, funny, and thoughtful, despite her demanding job.  

“She was someone very important to me, like a second mother,” said Lina. “She was our support system. She was more like a friend. We relied on her in every way possible. She was always there for me and my siblings and my parents. She always made time for us. 

“We miss having her so much around the table during holidays and celebrations. Nothing has been the same without her.”

In May 2022, immediately after Shireen’s death, the family filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court. In December of the same year, Al Jazeera also filed a formal complaint with the ICC for war crimes.

Four months after the killing, an Israeli army investigation admitted that there was a “high probability” that she had been “accidentally hit” by Israeli fire, while stating that it had no intention of bringing criminal proceedings against the soldiers involved. 

A year later, in May 2023, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari declared the army was “deeply sorry about the death of Shireen Abu Akleh.” 




To highlight her important contribution to journalism, and to coincide with the second anniversary of her death, Shireen’s family launched a foundation in her honor devoted to helping young reporters break into the industry. (Supplied)

Since then, despite several independent investigations proving that an Israeli soldier shot Shireen, who was clearly identified as a news professional, no one has been punished.

Although Shireen was a US citizen, the US Security Coordinator only visited the site of the shooting and did not pursue an independent investigation, basing its conclusions on those of the Israeli army and the Palestinian Authority, as well as a ballistics report. 

A Department of Justice investigation is reportedly still underway.

Meanwhile, the International Press Institute and other press freedom monitors have called on Israel to conduct a credible investigation and to hold those responsible to account. 

They have also urged the ICC to open an investigation into the circumstances of the killing to determine whether it amounts to a war crime under the Rome Statute.




A woman walks past a mural depicting slain Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed while covering an Israeli army raid in Jenin, drawn along Israel’s controversial separation barrier in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on July 6, 2022. (AFP)

Lina still recalls the phone call from her father in which she learnt of her aunt’s death. 

“Looking back, it’s still heartbreaking and tragic,” she said. “It’s something that until this day I cannot comprehend and process, the fact that we lost Shireen in such a brutal, horrific way.”

On Shireen’s birthday — April 3, 2022 — Lina traveled from the US to Ramallah in the West Bank to spend the Easter weekend with family. 

In early May, there were Israeli incursions into Jenin. Although Shireen was urged by her family to take some time off from work. “She said: ‘I can’t, I have to go,’” Lina recalled. 

“Shireen was very committed to her work. She was very loyal and would have never said no to any sort of deployment.” 




Lina Abu Akleh, the niece of slain Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, sits surrounded by photographs of her late aunt, at the family home in occupied east Jerusalem, on July 13, 2022. (AFP)

Lina and her family could never have imagined the tragedy that would follow, or the global attention that Shireen’s death would attract as they try to privately grieve their loss.

“From the day she was killed, we had numerous reporters inside our house to get a statement from the family,” said Lina. “My father was not at home at that time. He arrived later in the night at about 10 PM. We were still trying to comprehend as we were in a state of shock. 

“I was the one in position who had to take the role of saying something. It was definitely not something I would see myself doing had she not been killed but I felt that Shireen would have stepped up in the moment.”

On May 13, Shireen’s funeral took place in Jerusalem with thousands of mourners in attendance. However, the procession soon descended into chaos when Israeli riot police charged the crowd. 

At one point, Shireen’s casket almost fell on the ground amid the scuffle. Lina says it was one of the most traumatic days of her life.




Shireen’s funeral took place in Jerusalem with thousands of mourners in attendance. However, the procession soon descended into chaos when Israeli riot police charged the crowd. (AFP)

“I always say this: It was the second time they killed Shireen,” she said. “First in Jenin, and then in Jerusalem. The attack on her funeral was beyond horrific. It was a violation to her dignity, to our right as a family to bury and mourn her in peace. But for us, it felt like an attempt to silence her, and it felt like she was reporting on her own funeral.”

However, Lina says she was also moved by the outpouring of love and support that Shireen and her family received from all over the world.

“It gives our family some solace and comfort to know how Shireen was loved, but at the same time, appreciated for the work she’s been doing for the past 25 years,” said Lina.

“It’s something that resonated with so many Palestinians and Arabs around the world, considering how influential, empowering, courageous and brave she was.

“She never viewed herself as a public figure or as a celebrity. She cared for the people. That’s why she chose journalism. I don’t think she would have even imagined she was going to become this icon. It makes me proud.”

 


Israel kills another journalist in Gaza as global criticism intensifies

Updated 29 May 2025
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Israel kills another journalist in Gaza as global criticism intensifies

  • Moataz Mohammed Rajab was killed by an airstrike on a civilian vehicle
  • Latest casualty comes amid mounting international calls for sanctions on Israel

LONDON: Israeli forces killed Moataz Mohammed Rajab, a Palestinian photojournalist and video editor for Al-Quds Al-Youm TV, in an airstrike on Gaza City late Wednesday, amid mounting international condemnation of Israel’s conduct in the war.

According to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, Rajab was killed while covering Israeli attacks near Al-Nafaq Street, when an airstrike hit a civilian vehicle. He died instantly along with other civilians.

The Government Media Office in Gaza condemned what it called the “systematic targeting and assassination” of Palestinian journalists, accusing Israel of a deliberate campaign against the press.

“This is not random,” the office said in a statement. “Israel is deliberately assassinating Palestinian journalists.”

It urged the International Federation of Journalists, the Arab Journalists Union and global press freedom organizations to move beyond statements and take tangible action.

Rajab’s death comes amid mounting pressure on Israel to deescalate its assault on Gaza and ease a months-long blockade that has plunged the enclave’s 2.3 million residents into a severe humanitarian crisis.

Calls for restraint have grown increasingly urgent in recent days. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Israeli actions had taken “tragic and unacceptable forms,” and urged an immediate end to the bombings and resumption of humanitarian aid. He added that the forced displacement of Palestinians “is not and never will be an acceptable option.”

In one of the strongest public criticisms yet from a close ally, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz earlier this week questioned the justification for continued Israeli airstrikes, calling them “no longer comprehensible” and suggesting they go beyond the stated aim of defeating Hamas. Observers say the remarks reflect a growing shift in German public opinion.

As the war passes the 600-day mark, international calls for a ceasefire are gaining traction.

At least 44 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Thursday. The latest attacks came a day after desperate civilians looted a World Food Programme warehouse in central Gaza, highlighting the deepening humanitarian crisis.

Since the war began on Oct. 7, 2023, more than 54,000 people have been killed in Gaza, the vast majority of them civilians, including thousands of children.

The toll on journalists has also been staggering. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 181 media workers have been confirmed killed: 173 Palestinian, six Lebanese and two Israeli.

The organization said that at least 17 journalists and two media workers were deliberately targeted by Israeli forces in what CPJ classifies as murder.

In a report issued Wednesday, CPJ said Israel’s blockade and hunger crisis are severely hampering the ability of the press to cover the war, with Gaza’s media sector now described as “dismantled” and “exhausted.”


TikTok and SRMG join forces to back local talent, drive MENA media innovation

Updated 28 May 2025
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TikTok and SRMG join forces to back local talent, drive MENA media innovation

  • Partnership will accelerate creator economy and drive commercial growth by integrating TikTok’s platform with SRMG’s media ecosystem, events, and training initiatives, companies said

RIYADH: Leading media group SRMG has announced a strategic partnership with TikTok to empower the next generation of content creators in Saudi Arabia and across the MENA region, while also driving commercial growth through a series of innovative initiatives. 

The partnership will leverage TikTok’s expertise in amplifying content reach, unlocking monetization opportunities, and fostering deeper connections with the region’s digitally native audience. It also aims to expand TikTok’s footprint through integration into SRMG’s flagship events and diverse media platforms, particularly in the fields of entertainment, sports, and lifestyle.

A key initiative under the partnership was the launch of #TikTokAcademy, a local program tailored for Saudi Arabia and developed in conjunction with SRMG Academy. This initiative invites aspiring digital storytellers to submit original content across lifestyle, fashion, film and entertainment, news, and sports. Selected creators will gain exclusive training across SRMG’s media brands, gaining firsthand experience alongside editors, journalists, and producers.

As part of the partnership, SRMG’s cultural and entertainment events such as the Billboard Arabia Music Awards and Hia Hub, will provide a prominent platform to spotlight TikTok creators and raise their profile. SRMG will also activate its extensive media network, including, Hia Magazine, Sayidaty, Arriyadiyah, and Billboard Arabia to amplify content and showcase creators through editorial and digital platforms.

This aligns with broader industry momentum, as the media sector added SAR 14.5 billion ($3.86 billion) to the GDP in 2023, with ambitions to more than triple that by 2030 and generate 67,000 jobs by 2024. The entertainment sector is booming as well, bringing in over SAR 1 billion in revenue and engaging more than 75 million people in the past five years. Social media is a major driving force behind this surge, with Saudi Arabia ranked among the top countries for usage, fuelling a new era of content creation, digital storytelling, and influencer-led innovation.

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Commenting on the partnership, Bassil Al Mouallimi Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer at SRMG, said: “We believe in the power of community and in the influential role the new generation plays in shaping the future of media in our region.” He noted that “the region’s creative economy is witnessing remarkable and rapid growth, particularly across the media, entertainment, and social platform sectors.” Al Mouallimi added: “Our strategic partnership with TikTok marks a significant step in solidifying our presence at the heart of this creative movement. We are working to connect talented creators with global platforms and foster an environment that empowers them to thrive and make a meaningful impact.” He emphasized that “this goes beyond simply producing trend-driven content — it’s about building sustainable career paths, amplifying authentic voices, and driving growth in the content economy.”

Kinda Ibrahim, TikTok’s General Manager of Content Operations in MEA, South and Central Asia said “At TikTok, we are committed to empowering a new generation of storytellers by giving them the tools, platform, and global stage to express themselves and shape culture. Saudi Arabia is home to an incredibly engaged and creative community. Through this partnership with SRMG, we are doubling down on our efforts to nurture local talent, fuel the region’s creative economy, and help creators thrive, not just in the Kingdom, but across the world.” 

This strategic partnership builds on the momentum of earlier joint initiatives, including the launch of the Billboard Arabia TikTok Music Charts, a first-of-its-kind platform spotlighting the most streamed and culturally influential songs in the Arab world. It also follows the rollout of SRMG Academy’s first technology journalism course, powered by TikTok, designed to train the next wave of Saudi storytellers in navigating and reporting on the fast-evolving tech landscape.


Adviser to UAE president warns of regional gridlock without strategic shifts

(AN photo/Abdurrahman Fahad Bin Shulhub)
Updated 28 May 2025
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Adviser to UAE president warns of regional gridlock without strategic shifts

DUBAI: Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, defended the country’s foreign policy and addressed the Arab world’s uncertain geopolitical landscape during a panel discussion at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai.

“How can you explain everything that is happening in the Arab world now?” asked Taher Baraka, presenter at Al Arabiya.

Gargash responded with a single word: “Uncertainty.”

Elaborating on this theme, he pointed to the fragile resurgence of nations such as Syria and Lebanon as central to the region’s current volatility.

“We have two Arab worlds,” he said. “There is the GCC, and then there are Arab countries that are suffering.”

Gargash emphasized the UAE’s proactive foreign policy, which he described as essential to fostering stability and peace for the Emirati people.

“We know we have to address the problems in our region,” he said. “Yes, there are challenges — but there is also significant potential.”

He also addressed criticism surrounding the UAE’s decision to normalize ties with Israel, a move that has sparked debate across the Arab world.

“Normalization is being used as a scare tactic,” he said. “But it is a sovereign decision, and for us, it was the right choice.”

Despite this stance, Gargash reaffirmed the UAE’s enduring support for the Palestinian cause.

“Our commitment to the Palestinian people and their right to a state remains unchanged. Their suffering brings us real pain,” he said.

Gargash argued that without normalization, the Arab world risks clinging to outdated strategies that perpetuate conflict and division.

Using the metaphor of a “bottleneck,” he described the political paralysis in Syria and Lebanon, where armed militias continue to undermine national sovereignty.

“We cannot have two armies in one country,” he said. “We need realistic priorities.”

Gargash highlighted the UAE’s role in supporting crisis-hit nations, pointing to the large Lebanese and Syrian diasporas in the Emirates.

“The UAE has been the breathing lungs for Lebanon and Syria during the height of their crises. Many of their citizens came here and thrived. If they can innovate here, they can innovate in Lebanon or Syria,” he said. 


New currency in the works, says Syrian economy minister

Updated 28 May 2025
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New currency in the works, says Syrian economy minister

  • Syria is striving to become an open economy and attract foreign investment

DUBAI: Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Nidal Al-Shaar has said his country is working on developing a new currency but will not make any hasty decisions.

Speaking at the Arab Media Summit on Wednesday, Al-Shaar said the new Syrian government was “dealing with this calmly and patiently” and pointed to the economy’s flaws under Bashar Assad’s regime.

“The regime had different channels to pay salaries, one was through royalties that were imposed on traders and the other was through captagon production. When the regime fell, these stopped so there is a shortage in liquidity currently,” he explained.

Liquidity was the main challenge faced by Syria’s economy, he added, as the previous regime had retrieved most of the country’s liquid assets from overseas before it fell.

“We are working on retrieving our funds from abroad in cash; unfortunately the regime was able to retrieve most of it but something is better than nothing,” he said.

Earlier this year, the UAE invested $800 million to develop the Syrian port of Tartous after the US lifted sanctions.

Al-Shaar said Syria was striving to become an open economy and attract foreign investment but was being selective to avoid creating economic chaos.

“Brotherly countries of the Middle East are all looking forward to protecting Syria from chaos, the Syrian people are tired of (it) and cannot bear any more,” he added.


Takreem Foundation gala honors Arab cultural luminaries

Updated 28 May 2025
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Takreem Foundation gala honors Arab cultural luminaries

  • Sheikha Mai Al-Khalifa and Pierre Choueiri among award recipients

DUBAI: Bahrain’s Sheikha Mai Al-Khalifa and Lebanese advertising mogul Pierre Choueiri were among those honored by the Takreem Foundation last week at a gala dedicated to celebrating Arab excellence on a global stage.

Emirati writer, art expert and philanthropist Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi was also among the prominent figures honored for their significant contributions to the region’s cultural landscape.

Sheikha Mai, a Bahraini politician and passionate advocate for heritage preservation, received a lifetime achievement award for her commitment to safeguarding and promoting Arab culture and consistently championing the importance of preserving historical sites.

As president of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, she has spearheaded numerous initiatives dedicated to restoring and revitalizing the country’s rich heritage. Her close collaboration with UNESCO, particularly in her role as chair of the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage, further underscores her dedication to protecting and promoting Arab cultural heritage on a global scale.

Her award recognizes her enduring impact on cultural preservation efforts within Bahrain and across the Arab world.

Choueiri, chairman and CEO of the Choueiri Group, a leading media company in the region, received a special distinction for his contributions to the cultural landscape. While not explicitly a cultural figure himself, Choueiri’s recognition is tied to his support of Al-Multaqa Literary Salon.

Al-Multaqa, also honored at the event, is a renowned platform for intellectual exchange centered around Arabic literature, philosophy, and art. Founded in 1998 by Asma Seddiq Al-Mutawa, who accepted the award on behalf of the platform, it has gained recognition for its vibrant discussions, particularly those revolving around Arabic novels.

Recognized by UNESCO, the salon has played a vital role in fostering a vibrant reading culture, supporting emerging writers, and promoting intellectual discourse throughout the Arab world.

The Takreem Foundation’s decision to honor both Sheikha Mai and Choueiri reflects the organization’s holistic view of cultural impact. It recognizes not only those directly involved in cultural creation and preservation but also those who provide crucial support and platforms for cultural exchange.

Established in 2010, Takreem continues to highlight the achievements of Arabs across various fields, holding its awards ceremonies in major cities throughout the region and beyond. Through these events and fundraising galas, the foundation aims to inspire future generations and foster a greater appreciation for Arab contributions to the world.