Brian Sokol

Brian Sokol

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In Pictures: Learning to forgive in DRC

Lessons on forgiveness by religious leaders helping Central African Republic refugees in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Published On 16 Oct 2014
<p>Imam Moussa Bawa, 72, and Sister Maria Concetta, 80, converse on the banks of the Oubangi River in Zongo, DRC. The two religious leaders attempt to heal the wounds that have divided the Christian and Muslim communities in Central Africa Republic. </p>
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CAR refugees’ ‘Most Important Things’

Central African refugees have been crossing into DR Congo carrying only their most-treasured items.

Published On 28 Feb 2014
Jean Gerembo recalls Wednesday March 27, 2013, vividly. His wife and two children were staying with his mother-in-law, when Seleka forces entered his village of Batalimo. The Seleka heard from a neighbour that Jean(***)s mother had saved some money, and at 11:45 that night there came a knock at the door. Jean hid beneath his mother(***)s bed and told her to remain silent, and not to answer it. A few moments later, the door was kicked in. One of the soldiers walked over to the bed and slit the old woman(***)s throat. Terrified, Jean stayed under the bed as they looted the home. The next morning, he found eight young people who were, as he said, "brave enough to to help me to bury my mother." After the burial, Jean found his family, gathered a few essentials, and together they fled across the Oubangi River in his small fishing boat. The most important thing that Jean was able to bring with him from CAR was his fishing net. He says that the net allows him to live, and to earn. "Some of the fish I sell, some we eat. I use the money to buy clothes and to pay the local people for plantains, cassava and peanuts," he said. "Many people have suffered. Mine is just one story."
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Fleeing Syria for their lives

Al Jazeera showcases the most important object that the refugees fled with, on a day their numbers touched one million.

Published On 6 Mar 2013
Yusuf and his family fled their home several months before this photograph was taken. The most important thing he was able to bring from Syria is the mobile phone that he holds in this photograph. "With this, I(***)m able to call my father. We(***)re close enough to Syria here that I can catch signal from the Syrian towers sometimes." The phone also holds photographs of family members who are still in Syria, which he is able to keep with him at all times.
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