Rukaia Al-abadi
Rukaia Al-abadi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1988 Syria |
| Occupation(s) | Investigative journalist, photojournalist |
| Years active | 2010s–present |
| Known for | Investigative journalism on human rights abuses in Syria; reporting under ISIS control; award-winning investigations |
Rukaia Al-abadi (born 1988) is a Syrian professional specializing in both investigative journalism and photojournalism.
Biography
Al-abadi launched her journalistic career within Syria, focusing on exposing human rights abuses against women amid the Syrian Civil War. She conducted her work covertly in Deir ez-Zor, an area under ISIS control, where she operated incognito by wearing a niqab and utilizing internet cafes for communication.
In 2014, her reporting led to her arrest and subsequent detention for a period of three months. Following her release, she persisted in her journalistic efforts until she sought refuge in Turkey in October 2015 to ensure her personal safety. Since 2019, Al-abadi has been based in Paris, France, initially residing at the Maison des Journalistes.
In 2022, she was honored with the Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press alongside Lebanese journalist Fatima Al-Othman for their joint investigation titled “The Mahdi Scouts: A chronicle of child recruitment into Iranian militias.” Additionally, her investigative pieces have been recognized as finalists for the Fetisov Journalism Awards as well as the Climate School and Greenpeace Award for Climate Justice. Beyond her reporting, Al-abadi contributes as a mentor through the Syrian Female Journalists Network’s initiative "Empowering a New Generation of Female Journalists."