Maher Akraa

Portrait series “Transcultural Encounters”

Maher Akraa | Credit: Sui Thin Ip

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Maher Akraa worked as a journalist and photographer in Syria and, among many other events, documented the destruction of his native Aleppo. At ZHdK, Maher first did a “Cast / Audiovisual Media” internship before earning a master’s degree in “Trends & Identity”. His degree project explores how to foster dialogue among people from different political, religious and cultural backgrounds in conflict zones.

ZHdK International Dossier: How have you experienced cultural diversity at ZHdK?

Maher Akraa: My internship at “Cast” was certainly very formative. A major challenge was dealing with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds without misunderstanding one another. Growing up in the Middle East, and influenced by my traditional, Islamic hometown and family, I realized that certain social norms and traditions do not apply in Switzerland, and vice versa. Having lived in different countries, I was already familiar with dealing with other cultures. Doing a master’s degree allowed me to study in a very diverse group, characterized by different cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations. It was a valuable opportunity to cultivate understanding and respect for and with each other. Studying and working at ZHdK challenged me in new and initially difficult ways, such as same-sex relationships, which are forbidden in my culture. Despite the differences, I have still made friends.

  • Maher Akraa | Credit: Sui Thin Ip
  • Credit: Maher Akraa
  • Credit: Maher Akraa
  • Maher Akraa | Credit: Stefan Kaiser
  • Maher Akraa | Credit: Stefan Kaiser
  • Maher Akraa | Credit: Sui Thin Ip
Which transcultural encounters have shaped you?

One example is the Swiss culture of writing e-mails. To begin with, I found it strange to write an email for pretty much everything. This is unusual in my culture where you tend to pick up the phone or discuss things in person. I also found the Swiss custom of scheduling appointments well in advance strange at first. Dinner dates with fellow students struck me a unusually formal. In my culture, such activities are usually more spontaneous and uncomplicated. Today, I have grown used to writing e-mails and even prefer not to be called out of the blue.

ZHdK teaches us that despite our different backgrounds and opinions, we need to treat each other with respect and maintain dialogue.

What principle guides your thinking about peaceful coexistence and why do you consider it important?

In Aleppo, my home city, which is culturally and religiously diverse, I recognized the importance of peaceful coexistence early on. During my studies, I cultivated friendships with people from different Islamic and Christian communities, which also made me realize the importance of peaceful coexistence. But the ongoing conflicts and wars in the Middle East are increasingly threatening this coexistence. This predicament has inspired my master’s project, “Dialogue Design: A mediation-based creative approach to conflict resolution”. It aims to promote dialogue among people from different political, religious and cultural backgrounds in conflict zones. I am convinced that dialogue is essential to counteracting hatred and bridging social divides. This is plainly evident in current debates such as the Israel-Palestine conflict. ZHdK teaches us that despite our different backgrounds and opinions, we need to treat each other with respect and maintain dialogue. This principle is paramount because the world consists of more than just black and white.

It is crucial that we learn to talk to each other. Because if we don’t, there will be no dialogue, and without dialogue there will be no peace.

Sometimes it is difficult to stand up for peace and peaceful coexistence. How do you experience this?

My extensive experience as a journalist at the United Nations in Geneva, particularly during the peace talks on Syria, have taught me that peace is crucial to achieving harmonious coexistence. Yet my experiences have also taught me that peace processes are often difficult, protracted and sometimes even doomed to fail, as I have experienced quite painfully in my native Syria. Achieving peace does not always succeed, which is why my master’s project focuses on conflict resolution and prevention. It is crucial that we learn to talk to each other. Because if we don’t, there will be no dialogue, and without dialogue there will be no peace.

How would like to continue pursuing your work?

I have begun developing my master’s project “Dialogue Design” into a PhD. My aim is to provide a tool that helps to reduce hatred and related phenomena in conflict zones. Events such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza have also increased the potential for conflict within Swiss society. I am currently looking for potential cooperation partners to take this project forward. Who knows, perhaps there will be an opportunity to collaborate with ZHdK.

What role does justice play?

A crucial one. Dialogue is essential to achieving justice. We find ourselves amid a triangular relationship. Justice forms the social basis for peaceful coexistence. Currently serving as a research assistant in the BA in International Design Management at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, I observe how lecturers and students from different cultures meet and learn from each other. This strikes me as an impressive example of justice, which I have been privileged to experience at ZHdK.

How has experiencing different cultures shaped your identity?

I consider the past to be integral to every person’s life. It defines our roots and forms the basis of our identity. Living in different cultures has kept broadening my perspective on life. While my present identity is rooted in my former identity, it has continuously evolved as opportunities have presented themselves. I am still passionate about photography, which I already pursued in Aleppo while documenting the old city before and after the war. Now, I am mainly photographing Swiss events. I have one big wish: to document my experiences and memories of Aleppo in a photography book.

In light of recent events, my cultural background has made me question for the first time what I should write or how I should express myself in society.

How do you self-reflect?

Let me be very critical. I was working as a journalist in Syria, a country ruled by a tyrannical regime. When the Syrian revolution erupted, I lost my fear of writing freely for the first time. Until the current Gaza war, I never had any qualms about expressing my views. In light of recent events, however, my cultural background has made me question for the first time what I should write or how I should express myself in society. This makes me feel that the freedom of expression, even in Switzerland – where neutrality and free speech are held high – is suddenly restricted. This development gives me pause for thought.