Thread by @jenanmoussa

I'm very honoured to recieve today from ex-president of France @fhollande the #ShifaGardiAward, during a Rudaw ceremony in Erbil.

Award is in memory of Shifa, brave female Kurdish reporter killed near Mosul 2yrs ago while reporting on ISIS.

May her legacy live forever.

@akhbar

It's an extra honour for me as a female reporter with Arab background that I receive #ShifaGardiAward from Kurdish tv network in Erbil.

Kurds suffered so much under ISIS. Important to show that ISIS ideology can't destroy Kurdish &Arab coexistence in fight against extremism.

The #ShifaGardiAward I was given today in #Erbil comes with a $15000 check. That's a lot of money.

I decided to dontate full amount to various projects in Kurdistan Iraq.

There are so many people in need! Many ISIS victims.

Soon I'll pick best charities. Will keep u posted.

The #ShifaGardiAward I was granted today in Erbil is created by a Kurdish artist called Hamid Neckha.

It symbolizes a woman with wings that come together towards end as a pen. I am holding it now in my hands. It's a beautiful & touching rememberence to brave Shifa.

@akhbar

Before 2011, I have to admit I didn't know too much about Kurds.

But after I went to Syria &Iraq I met many Kurds and covered many stories. Afrin, Kobani, Aleppo, Raqqa, Erbil etc. Although situation often difficult, Kurds helped me &gave me welcoming feeling. I'm grateful 🙏

What especially has touched me in the war against ISIS is the tragedy of Yazidi people.

They were either slaughtered, enslaved or cleansed by ISIS.

Hopefully destruction of ISIS will lead to stability for Yazidis. And hopefully some money from award will go to Yazidi families.

Most of you probably get your MidEast news from big international media companies.

But please realize that most stories in MidEast are first reported by local reporters. They take often enormous risks but don't get much credit.

Another reason why #ShifaGardiAward is important.

I also would like to use this moment to thank the jury of #ShifaGardiAward.

Thank you very much @AkoRudaw, @janearraf, @lihony, @Joyce_Karam, @wellsab1.

I am truly very honoured and touched that you chose me. 🙏

Tragically Kurdish female tv reporter Shifa Gardi died two years ago outside Mosul while covering war against ISIS.

However, cameraman Younis Mustafa got injured in the same explosion. Very traumatic experience. Thank God he survived. I met him today. A true hero! 🙏

I still want to share one pic with you. This is Shifa's family. Yesterday I met them when I received the #ShifaGardiAward in memory of Kurdish female journalist who died 2 years ago while covering war against ISIS.

It was a special moment for me.

Strong & wonderful people. ❤