Mohamed Amin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mohamed "Mo" Amin
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 29 August 1943 Eastleigh, Nairobi, Kenya Colony
|
| Died | 23 November 1996 (aged 53) Indian Ocean near Grande Comore, Comoros
|
| Occupation | Photojournalist |
Mohamed Amin MBE (born August 29, 1943 – died November 23, 1996) was a famous photojournalist from Kenya. He was known for his amazing photos and videos that showed important events happening around the world.
One of his most important works was filming the terrible famine in Ethiopia in 1984. His powerful images, along with reporter Michael Buerk's stories, helped the world see how serious the problem was. This led to a huge wave of charity, including the famous Live Aid concerts, which raised a lot of money to help people.
Mohamed Amin sadly passed away in November 1996. He was on a flight that was hijacked and crashed into the Indian Ocean near Grande Comore.
Contents
Who was Mohamed Amin?
Mohamed Amin was born on August 29, 1943, in Eastleigh, Nairobi, which is in Kenya. From a young age, he became very interested in photography while he was still in school. This interest would later become his life's work.
Starting his photography journey
In 1963, when he was 20 years old, Mohamed Amin started his own company called Camerapix in Dar es Salaam. Three years later, he moved his company to Nairobi, Kenya. During the 1970s, he became one of the most trusted news photographers in Africa.
He traveled all over the continent, reporting on wars and big political changes. His pictures were often used by news organizations in Western countries, showing people what was happening in Africa.
How did his work change the world?
Mohamed Amin's most impactful moment came when he filmed the 1984 famine in Ethiopia. His video footage, combined with reports from Michael Buerk, brought the crisis to the world's attention. This powerful reporting helped start a huge effort to raise money and help, which included the famous Live Aid concerts.
Besides the Ethiopian famine, he also took exclusive photos of other major events. He captured the fall of leaders like Idi Amin and Mengistu Haile Mariam. He also wrote many books, covering topics like his travels through Pakistan and his pilgrimage to Mecca. He even covered East African wildlife and the Uganda Railway. Amin also published a magazine called Selamta for Ethiopian Airlines.
Working in the Middle East
Mohamed Amin wasn't only active in Africa. He also worked in the Middle East. In September 1970, he covered the Palestinian Black September uprising in Jordan. He was able to move freely among the Palestinian groups, which was something many Western journalists couldn't do. This showed how brave and trusted he was.
A brave photojournalist's injury
In 1991, Mohamed Amin faced a serious challenge. He lost his left arm during an explosion at an ammunition dump in Ethiopia. This happened during the Ethiopian Civil War. Even after this injury, he continued his important work as a photojournalist.
What happened to Mohamed Amin?
On November 23, 1996, Mohamed Amin boarded Ethiopian Airlines Flight 961. He was traveling with his colleague, Brian Tetley, who helped write text for Amin's photography books. They were flying back to Nairobi after a business trip to Ethiopia.
The flight and the crash
During the flight, hijackers took control of the plane. They forced the pilot, Leul Abate, to fly east over the Indian Ocean towards Australia. Mohamed Amin bravely tried to encourage other passengers to resist the hijackers. He confronted them, trying to stop the dangerous situation.
The plane eventually ran out of fuel. The pilot had to make an emergency landing in the water off the coast of the Comoros Islands. The plane broke apart when it hit the ocean. Sadly, Mohamed Amin, who was standing at the time, was fatally injured. He was 53 years old. Brian Tetley also did not survive the crash.
Mohamed Amin's lasting impact
Mohamed Amin left a big mark on the world of journalism and beyond. His courage and dedication to showing important stories continue to inspire many.
Documentary and legacy
In June 2006, a documentary film about Mohamed Amin called Mo and Me was shown for the first time. It was made by Al Jazeera and won an award for Best International Documentary at the Los Angeles International Film Festival.
Mohamed Amin's son, Salim Amin, now runs the Camerapix company, continuing his father's legacy. Mohamed Amin's work also inspired the creation of the A24 news channel. This channel is an independent, 24-hour news service for Africa, which started broadcasting from Nairobi in 2008.
Mohamed Amin worked with many other talented journalists and writers throughout his career. These included people like Tahir Shah, Colin Blane, and of course, Michael Buerk, who reported with him during the Ethiopian famine.
Images for kids
-
Mohamed Amin, a famous Kenyan photojournalist.
