Dressed in a green headscarf with her face streaked with the blood of the dead around her, 12-year-old Tarana Akbari stands open-mouthed as she surveys the devastation around her. Children are among the bodies piled around her.
Scroll down to see the image in full. WARNING: Some viewers may find the photograph distressing
The harrowing shot was taken at the Abul Fazel Shrine in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 6 December 2011 and has secured Hossaini $10,000 in the breaking news photography category.
The bombing, carried out as part of a coordinated attack during Ashura ceremonies commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, killed at least 54 people, including Taraneh's brother, aunts and uncles.
Kabul-born Hossaini, who was injured by flying shrapnel, told Press TV: "I still can't go back and look at the pictures I took on that Ashura day."
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AFP photographer Massoud Hossaini has been awarded the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for his heartbreaking image of a girl crying in fear after a suicide bomber's attack on a crowded shrine in Kabul.
Dresse...
AFP photographer Massoud Hossaini has been awarded the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for his heartbreaking image of a girl crying in fear after a suicide bomber's attack on a crowded shrine in Kabul.
Dresse...
Since my brush with death at the Ashura bombing in Kabul, and my crack on the head, I have developed a disturbing ability. In the same way that bats can locate moths by echolocation, I have discovered that I can locate furniture with my shins. We never stop learning it seems. It started in Dubai when I jammed my foot into a table and sliced my toe open.
When I think of mercy, I think of receiving undeserved or unmerited kindness or treatment. A merciful act is one that reconnects us to humankind -- reminds us that we belong.
Picture like this and the 'famous' one of the child running down the road in Vietnam, taken by Nick Ut, are arguably necessary to show the true brutality and reality of war.
Whether a photographer should/could do anything in this situation like this is impossible to say sitting in our cosseted living rooms or offices looking at the picture away from the immediate carnage. We cannot feel the raw emotion; the shell shock; the absolute horror of what has just happened and what may happen next.
I would like to think that they did what they could; but what would that be in a situation like this?
Ask yourself ~ what would/could I do if I were there?
SallyCycle: Picture like this and the 'famous' one of the child
Why should this man get a prize for this photo? It took no artist impression, no great length of time to capture at its best (like animal photographs) no anything. He just happened to be in the right place at the wrong time for those poor children. Yes, a photographer by hobby or trade would instantly snap a shot because that is what they do - but winning a prize for it? No No No. Did he run to assist this child immediately after he took the shot? I so hope so for my comfort and his future shame.
terriminx2: Why should this man get a prize for this photo?
What I find sickening about this is the fact a photrapher was there and rather than help the injured and assist he thought about a prize winning photo frst. Sick.
Fozwords: What I find sickening about this is the fact a
Are you serious? How many people do you know who would literally risk getting their guts blown out to take a picture? If it werent for Mr. Massoud Hossaini none of us would be able to voice our worthless opinions His bravery alone exemplifies just how self-indulged Americans are to criticize what we don't understand. It's time to wake up. It's the message that is sickening not the messenger.
civilethics: Are you serious? How many people do you know who
No 1 I am not American.
No 2 I am not Self Indulgent.
No 3 I recognise the danger of the situation.
No 4 I dont recognise anycudos in standing there taking pictures which have no doubt made him lots of money and fame whilst the innocent are dying around him.
No 5 What di he do to help the injured and dying, .
No 6 It is all about self glorification.
Ican't come to terms with something so awful. Yet, I think that being exposed too easily and too often to such horrors can make us become utterly insensitive to its distressing reality. I mean, we remain calmily watching while dining or reading ...... and from the comfort of our lives, we'll only give a momentary shudder..
seresalo: Ican't come to terms with something so awful. Yet, I
how tragic we live in a world that rewards something so awful , even taking the picture doesn't seem right yet we're compelled to look at it . I wish I hadn't but I did.
hobbsgp: how tragic we live in a world that rewards something
All I can say is, is this the society we want to live in? We all know the cause of atrocities like this. Religion and money, which is one and the same. And before you say, that's not the society you live in, give it some thought.
Steve_Lives: All I can say is, is this the society we
In what way are they too 'easy'? I imagine it was very difficult and dangerous to get into the position required to take the photo, not to mention keeping the composure to do so.
And how do you feel it rewards brutality? Surely it is helping to highlight the brutality that occurs around the world? Isn't that important?
samparkercouk: In what way are they too 'easy'? I imagine it
Well said, I agree entirely. A very powerful photo in a very difficult situation.If it were not for photo's like this we would know little of the horror, or the impact it has on the people who witness it. Though i do think a large donation from his prize should already be on its way to Tarana Akbari and her family
ebt3: Well said, I agree entirely. A very powerful photo in
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Huffington Post UK | By Sara C Nelson Posted: 18/04/2012 17:04 Updated: 18/04/2012 18:12