Elton John adds haunting photo of Syrian war child to his extensive collection
THE image of little Omran Daqneesh became a haunting symbol of the suffering of children in Syria.
Now Elton John has acquired a print of the photo for his art collection to help highlight the plight of youngsters in the conflict. The picture – which was used by media all over the world – showed Omran, five, in the back of an ambulance, blood caking his face and his body covered with masonry dust.
It was taken last August, shortly after he was pulled from rubble after an air-strike decimated his family’s home in Aleppo. Elton, 69, posted the photo – by Syrian photographer Mahmoud Raslan – on his Instagram account this weekend.
The star, who owns one of the world’s most extensive private collections of photography, told his half a million followers that he and partner David Furnish, 54, wanted to draw attention to the human price of the Syrian war.
He wrote: ‘David and I recently added this image to our fine art collection, which focuses heavily on the art & impact of photojournalism.’
The singer also showed support for a US-based charity called the Burnt Children Relief Foundation, which treats Syrian children whose bodies have been burnt by bomb attacks.
A spokesman for the star said: ‘Both he and the photographer wanted to use his acquisition of the print to draw attention to the conflict and to help children affected by it.’
Omran made a complete recovery. It is believed he and his family are still living in Aleppo.