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The United Nations announced that the number of persons seeking asylum or escape from areas of conflict in 2016 reached 65.6 million, which is even more than there was after World War II. Many of these refugees live in dire conditions, so a Syrian refugee and an artist, Abdalla Al Omari, decided to act and send an urgent message to the world leaders, most of whom seem to be indifferent to the crisis.

Abdalla has created a series of paintings he called 'The Vulnerability Series', where he reimagines the world leaders like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un and more, as refugees themselves, putting them in harsh situations actual refugees face daily.

"Intimate hours I spent with them have thought me more than I could imagine. Just as easily as everything worth defending can become defenseless, moments of absolute powerlessness can give you superpowers," Abdalla writes on his website. "In this universe without gravity, all we can hold on to is our vulnerability. I have convinced myself it is the strongest weapon humankind possesses, way more powerful than the trail of power games, bomb craters and bullet holes in our collective memories. Vulnerability is a gift we should all celebrate."

More info: Abdalla Al Omari | Twitter (h/t: attn, demilked)

#1

Donald Trump

Donald Trump

Abdalla Al Omari Report

Sherlock Holmes
Community Member
8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a pretty powerful image. Makes me feel kinda bad for (this fictional version of) him.

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    #2

    Kim Jong-un

    Kim Jong-un

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    #4

    Vladimir Putin

    Vladimir Putin

    Abdalla Al Omari Report

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    #5

    Angela Merkel

    Angela Merkel

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    Oliver Gloxin
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She looks like real old German women still dress.

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    #6

    Barack Obama

    Barack Obama

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    Miklós Nagy
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not sure. Did his alternate version also supported the "rebels" with money and firearms?

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    #7

    David Cameron

    David Cameron

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    Oliver Gloxin
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Asshat! What about the trillions $ worth of bombs dropped on innocents. War on Terror crates Terror not peace. When will people learn?

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    #8

    Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

    Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

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    Çiğdem Kanburoğlu
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He and his country has accepted more than 7 million refugees. I am sure some of them will welcome him to their home.

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    #9

    Yarmouk

    Yarmouk

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    cyberbird
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one is really amazing, the expressions on detail, the grief, dispair, hopelessness, I wonder if these persons in the lonelyness of their rooms reflect on their contribution to the world crisis. Powerful art expression and skill.

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    #10

    The Boat

    The Boat

    Abdalla Al Omari Report

    Valentina Lattante
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My hometown is on the mediterranean sea; everyday people running from war and poverty and injustice try to cross the sea, crammed in old boats. lots ot them never made it to the shore, they'll be forever in that sea. this image is very very powerful and sad to me

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    #11

    François Hollande And Nicolas Sarkozy

    François Hollande And Nicolas Sarkozy

    Abdalla Al Omari Report

    Lila Ferat
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know if this was intentional but their pants are the color of their political parties

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    #12

    Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

    Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

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    #13

    Bashar Al-assad

    Bashar Al-assad

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    #14

    Aggressor And The Victim

    Aggressor And The Victim

    Abdalla Al Omari Report

    Miriam L
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think it's saying that both the aggressor and the victim are both... people. And how neither the aggressors nor the bystanders (therefore the western suits) really seem to care.

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    #15

    Abdel Fattah El-sisi

    Abdel Fattah El-sisi

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    #16

    Dream Number 80

    Dream Number 80

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