What's the best picture you have ever seen?

In a truly remarkable achievement, Syrian photographer Mehmet Aslan has been honored with the prestigious title of "Best Photographer of the Year" in the highly acclaimed 2021 photo contest. His winning photograph, titled "Life's Tribulations," captures an incredibly poignant moment amidst a backdrop of tragedy. The image portrays a father who, tragically, lost his right leg when a devastating bomb struck a bustling market in Idlib, Syria. However, the photograph goes beyond this single story and sheds light on the additional challenges faced by his son, who was born with Tetraamelia—a rare disorder affecting both his upper and lower limbs. This condition was a direct result of the mother's exposure to dangerously high levels of toxic gas during the Syrian genocide, compounded by her forced intake of drugs during pregnancy.

Mehmet Aslan's photograph serves as a powerful and humbling reminder of the indomitable resilience and unwavering strength exhibited by individuals who confront unimaginable hardships.