Arwa Damon – CNN “Hero”
If Hala Gorani is the “Diva” of CNN, Arwa Damon is undoubtedly its… “Heroine”.
Who is Arwa….?
We first made Arwa’s acquaintance during the Invasion of Iraq. She appeared on TV screens timidly – looking pale, fair, and wan, reporting daily on the horrors of war, which was waged unecessarily – it has to be said – by the rash and foolish George W. Bush and his so called “poodle” Tony Blair.
We were instantly drawn to this unassuming young woman dressed in her usual fatigues and “keffiyeh” (the traditional Arab/Bedouin headdress) – who spoke softly and listened attentively.
Her head wrapped in a scarf, she merged with the indigenous people easily, communicating in English (with an American accent), but also she would be squatting like a native and talking with them in Arabic.
Who is this young woman reporting from one of the fiercest and most dangerous war zones on the planet…?
Arwa Damon was born in Boston, Massachussets, U.S.A. Her father is Dr. George Damon, Headmaster of the American Community School in Beirut, which is where the family is now based. Her mother, Joumana, is Syrian, who grew up in Damascus.
Arwa graduated with Honours, with a double major in French and Biology, as well as a minor in International affairs, from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York in 1999. She is fluent in French, Turkish (where she lived and studied for many years) and Arabic.
Arwa joined CNN in February 2006. She is an award-winning journalist, and is CNN’s Beirut correspondent reporting on the Middle East from Lebanon. We have been very impressed by her supreme professionalism, as well as her amazing courage.
After the harrowing invasion and occupation of Iraq, Arwa somehow seemed to smooth the edges of war, wherever she went, by assuaging the fears and worries of the petrified and terrified civilians, who were badly in need of a cool, calm, and intelligent friend. She continued on her mission “near-impossible”, forging a true and sincere friendship with the civilian population – one person they could trust… in a hellish situation.
During the recent Tunisian uprising, and the overthrowing of the President, Arwa is reporting there again. Not in the least discouraged, she continued on to Cairo, Egypt as a war correspondent, reporting on the inspirational toppling of the Mubarak regime, while watching brave Egyptian people fighting their way to Democracy.
One would think that it would have been fair for Damon, by now, to pack her bags and go on an extended, exotic holiday, but that would not be true of Arwa Damon.
Days and weeks rolled by, before we next hear the calm, reassuring voice of this amazing young woman, Arwa Demon – yet again, reporting from Libya… the latest conflict, between the mad, bad Ga
ddafi and his people, who would very much like him to leave. “Dégage” – as they say in France… LEAVE.
In our view, Arwa gets the “Legion d’Honneur” – the highest award for being the most authentic, discreet, understated, intelligent, clever professional – her courage defies all reason.
We love watching her lovely, serene face, and her beautiful, expressive, huge eyes, reporting from the humble homes of indigenous people, while listening to their tales of woe, making them feel that someone is listening, and someone cares…
People like Arwa give us hope that all is not lost in these outrageous and turbulent times… an Angel.
Arwa Damon – we anoint you the “Heroine” of CNN.
a.
Awesome. I am a huge fan.
She is fierce.
Agree, she is my CNN HERO! She should be the HERO FOR ALL.
CNN Int’l just isn’t the same since Christiane left. Hala pales in comparison, and Awra… well, maybe she’ll have something to write home about in 10-15 years. At the moment, they’re all just a bit too ‘ho hum’ for my tastes.
Arwa Damon is a great correspondent and accomplished multilinguist. She is doing wonderful job. God bless her.
She had good instincts from the start, but I have loved watching her mature and develop a steadier hand. I wish television news gave us more people this smart!
I love her too, Great women
Arwa Damon is outstanding. Especially that CNN fails terribly in many areas especially their US reporting team. She is the true Hero not only of CNN but of fair and balanced reporting. Good Luck Arwa.
Good Job
HTA
I’m very impressed with Arwa Damon. She is a reporter of the highest caliber, very professional and impartial.
LTK
U R hero Arwa to take a risk and to display whats going in syria
Thank you Arwa. You are a brave woman ….May ALLAH Bless you all the time.
I pray for this brave reporter. I cannot imagine what kind of memories she has having covered so much of War and suffering. Her courage to go on is really outstanding. May God bless and keep her safe at all times.
I met Arwa in Istanbul, during her high school days, when she was a student in Istanbul American Robert College. I must admit that, i wouldn’t believe even for a moment that young and lovely girl would become a journalist working in the front lines and war zones.
well she is brave female . i like her two reporting desk a) iraq children b ) reporting from inside Syria were the firing from both the end were taken up . She has clear and understandable communication . being Asian we are not fluent with maximum words through American reporter .
well done . cheers
I am amazed how brave and intelligent these reporters are. Not only must they take great care to protect themselves and their colleagues but also their sources. The horrible things they witness and deal with on a daily basis is so beyond anything I can comprehend. I love Arwa and the rest of the CNN crew as well as the MSNBC (NBC) people. God bless them all. Why is there so much hate and violence in the name of God and Allah?
Thank you so much Arwa for all the reporting from far-distanca places … You usually show the dark side of the conflict we cannot see: THANK YOU!!