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Draft:Abdullah Jabbar

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Abdullah Jabbar (born 17 May 2000), also known as AJ, is a British YouTuber, humanitarian, and co-founder of Live Updates from Syria, widely recognised for his documentation of the Syrian Civil War. Since 2013, he has shared personal stories from inside Syria through his YouTube channel, offering a unique, first-hand look at the impact of the conflict on civilians. Starting at just 13 years old, Jabbar has provided an on-the-ground perspective of life in war zones, focusing on refugees, survivors, and daily struggles in conflict-affected areas.[1]

His content addresses various aspects of the war, and he is vocal about his opposition to extremist groups like ISIS and HTS (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham), highlighting the suffering they have caused civilians in Syria. His content addresses the broader humanitarian toll of the war, including the rise of these groups and the geopolitical implications of their presence. Jabbar has also delved into other pressing issues, such as the drug trade in Syria and the resilience of communities rebuilding their lives. His raw and authentic portrayal of the war has gained him a significant following, with his work featured in numerous documentaries and podcasts.[2]

Jabbar is also the co-founder of Live Updates from Syria, a social media platform delivering real-time information on the conflict. Currently, he works as an ambassador for Human Aid & Advocacy, a charity organisation focused on supporting those affected by the war. Through both his vlogs and charity work, Jabbar continues to raise global awareness about the Syrian crisis and advocate for humanitarian intervention.[3][4]

Early life

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Jabbar was born to Zakia Sharif, a nursery teacher, and Abdul Jabbar with a heart condition called Double inlet left ventricle at St Thomas' Hospital in London. He grew up in Manor Park, London, and attended Ebrahim Academy secondary school.[5][6] His parents’ wedding was featured on Carlton TV’s The Wedding series, where Abdullah appeared as a baby. He is one of six children, growing up alongside his five siblings.

In 2010, when Jabbar was just 10 years old, his father Abdul Jabbar was tragically killed in a drone strike,[7] an event that had a profound impact on his life and ultimately shaped his commitment to humanitarian work. The strike was part of a larger drone campaign in Pakistan, and Jabbar has since spoken openly about how his father's death influenced his perspective on life and activism.[8] In 2013, he traveled to Syria with his mother Zakia Sharif and his five siblings to join his uncle, aid worker Tauqir Sharif, which exposed him to the humanitarian challenges faced by Syrians.[9]

Family Influence

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After the death of his father, Abdul Jabbar, in a drone strike,[10] his uncle Tauqir Sharif became his role model, inspiring him to pursue humanitarian work. Growing up, Jabbar witnessed his uncle's involvement in numerous aid missions,[11][12] including the notable 2010 Freedom Flotilla to Palestine, during which Tauqir was kidnapped by Israeli forces.[13][14] His father's role as a preacher instilled in Jabbar an appreciation for the blessings of life, as he was taught from a young age about the importance of gratitude and compassion.

Career

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Jabbar's career began in 2013 when he co-founded Live Updates from Syria, where he served as a media manager. Initially based in Atmeh, he later moved to Azaz with his mother and uncle, Tauqir Sharif. During this time, he documented life in internally displaced people (IDP) camps and provided essential aid, particularly focusing on women and children, two of the most vulnerable groups in the conflict. His family also helped build schools for women and children, collaborating with various charities.[15]

File:Abdullah Jabbar SCD bace 2016.jpg

He is well-known for his work in hospitals, providing medical support, and rescuing victims of airstrikes. Jabbar and his uncle also visited Syrian Civil Defence facilities (the "White Helmets") in Aleppo, delivering aid to their volunteers. His aid efforts have been praised, with some Syrian Civil Defence workers comparing their successes to those of top global agencies.[16]

In 2016, Jabbar's footage of his uncle assisting displaced people from Aleppo was published by the BBC.[17] He also filmed a documentary for ITV, showcasing 24 hours inside a hospital in Aleppo, highlighting the severe shortages of supplies and the daily challenges of operating in a war zone. This footage was later featured on News at Ten.[18][19]Jabbar made his first on-camera appearance in 2018, launching his YouTube channel to document his experiences.[20] His vlogs gained attention, including an interview with journalist Yvonne Ridley who traveled to Syria to interviewed him,[21] and in 2021, he collaborated with Vice News to showcase the harsh realities of evacuating refugees from the town of Maarat al-Numan under airstrikes.[22][23]

Due to complications from his heart condition, Jabbar returned to the UK in September 2022 for treatment, which he documented in a documentary with Al Jazeera.[24].

In 2023, Jabbar was set to join the Freedom Flotilla, an international aid mission, along with several prominent activists and journalists. The flotilla was intended to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestine in response to the ongoing violence. However, Jabbar was banned from entering Turkey, where the flotilla was to set sail, preventing him from participating in the mission.[25]

Currently, Jabbar serves as an ambassador and media personality for Human Aid & Advocacy,[26] continuing his humanitarian efforts while appearing on podcasts and interviews to share his journey.[27]

Personal Philosophy and Quotes

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Jabbar has faced shadow bans and other difficulties, but he remains committed to his work, stating, “Even if one person’s life is changed or someone is inspired by my content, then I’m happy.” He often reflects on the privilege of living in the UK, saying, “We are so blessed to be living in the UK—we have everything, yet sometimes we don’t realise it.”

Cultural Background and Advocacy

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Jabbar's personal experiences as an orphan have shaped his focus on supporting widows and orphans in conflict zones. His advocacy against Islamophobia has also been a central part of his work, particularly following his involvement in the 2024 counter-protest against a far-right march in Walthamstow.[28] Jabbar's activism extends to social media, where his creative storytelling has garnered a following of over 35,000 people.[29] Despite being dyslexic, Jabbar uses his creativity to communicate effectively, and his public speaking has been praised for captivating audiences.

Mentorship and Leadership

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File:Jabbar with refugee children in Syria.jpg

In addition to his humanitarian work, Jabbar is active in youth development, having spoken at youth clubs and colleges. He even ran two youth clubs in Syria within a gym he created. Jabbar works with therapists and counselors, focusing on youth issues and mental health, and is known for using his charisma to connect with and inspire young people.[30]

Public Perception and Challenges

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In 2023, Jabbar faced public scrutiny when the Metropolitan Police listed him on a wanted poster for attending a pro-Palestine rally. This caused a wave of backlash, including threats and doxxing.[31] However, Jabbar fought back with a media campaign, which led to the removal of the poster and an apology from the police. He was also advised to pursue legal action.[32]

Jabbar’s heart condition has been another significant challenge throughout his life, causing hospitalisations and limiting some activities during his childhood. In Syria, he was bedridden for months due to a lack of medical care and faced several life-threatening situations including the daunting task of smuggling himself out of Syria, an endeavor that placed him in life-threatening situations, including an encounter with HTS, who had previously kidnapped and tortured his uncle.[33] During one smuggling attempt, he was hidden in the back of a Toyota Hilux alongside 30 women, which led to a police chase after reaching Turkey. Ultimately, he was kidnapped by smugglers who recognised his British nationality and attempted to ransom him. He managed to negotiate his release by surrendering his iPhone.[34]

Long-term Vision

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Jabbar's long-term vision is to change the way humanitarian aid is approached. He advocates for a focus on education and infrastructure development rather than solely on primary aid. He believes that connecting people at home with those struggling in conflict zones will foster more sustainable solutions to global crises.

Personal life

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Jabbar is married and has a child, a source of personal motivation that drives his continued efforts to improve the conditions of families affected by conflict.

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Abdullah Jabbar's Instagram

Abdullah Jabbar's Youtube

Abdullah Jabbar's Twitter

Abdullah Jabbar's Tiktok

References

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  1. ^ "Vlogging the Syrian War".
  2. ^ https://youtube.com/nyydEUH7ybY?si=rYKGU7hlhx04uBsD
  3. ^ "Spending 10 Years in Syria, Facing Torture, Drug Trades and More... Ft. Abdullah Jabbar – Last of the Real Podcast – Podcast". 5 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Source Material – "Sharing the Syrian War on YouTube for 7 Years" (1 season, 10 series – S01E10)". 16 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Ebrahim Academy - GOV.UK".
  6. ^ Adams, Richard; Gani, Aisha (21 November 2014). "'Radicalisation risk' at six Muslim schools in London". The Guardian.
  7. ^ Walsh, Declan (6 October 2010). "Drone killed British Taliban plotter, reports say". The Guardian.
  8. ^ "Airwars".
  9. ^ https://youtube.com/yxz5wWFdIHw?si=eIHTabA_v2_oQhkV
  10. ^ "Drone death man 'being groomed to head UK terror group'". BBC News. 5 October 2010.
  11. ^ "CHINGFORD: Kidnapped aid workers reach Greece". 12 November 2010.
  12. ^ "'Captive' aid workers arrive in Greece after ship trip". BBC News. 12 November 2010.
  13. ^ "WALTHAM FOREST: Flotilla survivor 'set to return home'". 3 June 2010.
  14. ^ "WALTHAM FOREST: Two men caught up in Gaza flotilla raid". June 2010.
  15. ^ https://youtube.com/yxz5wWFdIHw?si=jHweo0kBM-YzpI6W
  16. ^ Al Shimale, Zouhir; Ullah, Areeb (8 March 2019). "'White Helmets' volunteers speak up for aid worker stripped of UK citizenship". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  17. ^ BBC London (21 December 2016). A London aid worker helping Syrian refugees – BBC London (YouTube). Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  18. ^ "British aid worker's 24 hours on Syria frontline". ITV News. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  19. ^ ITV News (3 August 2016). British aid worker's 24 hours inside Syrian hospital (YouTube). Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  20. ^ "Abdullah Jabbar". YouTube.
  21. ^ "AJ's new rap song in Syria - Viral - WTX News". 18 January 2019.
  22. ^ "Daily Vlogging the Syrian War".
  23. ^ "Sharing the Syrian War on YouTube for 7 Years | Source Material". YouTube. 16 January 2021.
  24. ^ "Stateless in Syria".
  25. ^ "I got Banned from Turkey!". YouTube.
  26. ^ "Instagram".
  27. ^ https://youtube.com/nyydEUH7ybY?si=0EzhMf42dK26poIf
  28. ^ "No sign of far-right disorder fails as thousands of counter-protesters line streets". 8 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Instagram".
  30. ^ "Instagram".
  31. ^ "Instagram".
  32. ^ "Instagram".
  33. ^ "Tauqir Sharif: British-born aid worker faces trial by Syria jihadists". BBC News. 16 July 2020.
  34. ^ https://youtube.com/k6aqgLEPKjo?si=uRMs_Al8afxeVEQt


Category:Living people Category:British expatriates in Syria Category:English people of Pakistani descent Category:English expatriates in Syria Category:People from Walthamstow Category:People from London Category:British aid workers Category:2000s births

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