Mustafa Aldabbas
Syrian journalist and writer based in Berlin
I am a Syrian journalist, editor and media producer based in Berlin, with more than a decade of experience covering Syrian politics, civil society and human rights, alongside migration, exile, queer life, media and digital culture.
Over the course of my career, I have worked as a reporter and writer in Syria and Germany, a media producer at Handbook Germany, a creative director at Neue Deutsche Medienmacher*innen, and a campaign manager and media producer at Purpose.
I currently work as a writer and editor with Al-Modon. I previously contributed to Daraj as a freelance journalist. My work has also appeared in Der Tagesspiegel, taz, Rozana, Raseef22 and Al-Monitor.
Production and campaigns
Selected projects
Was wäre wenn!?
I led the creative direction and production of a seven-language animated series designed to make the German constitution more accessible to migrant communities and encourage civic participation.
Are You OK?
I served as Campaign Manager for this campaign addressing the mental health of Syrian refugee women in Türkiye during the COVID-19 pandemic, in collaboration with the United Nations. The project received an Anthem Award in 2022.
The Podcast
An independently produced and hosted podcast exploring society, relationships, technology and politics, from bias in generative AI to language, desire, narcissism and Palestinian history.
Listen on SpotifyVerified
Media production for the United Nations' campaign against misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside partnerships with regional media and fact-checking organisations.
Read the UN News interviewRed Card to Hate Speech
I managed a campaign addressing online hate speech among football fans in Morocco while working at Purpose, in collaboration with the United Nations.
Read the UN News reportTwo Billion Strong
I worked on the production of a London-based campaign created to bring more Muslim voices and lived experiences into the global conversation on climate justice.
Visit the campaign and watch the filmInterviews and media
In the media
A Syrian journalist continuing his work after leaving home
An interview about leaving Syria, continuing my journalism, and working on media campaigns with a social impact.
Read the interview“Are You OK?”: Mental health among Syrian refugee women
An interview in my role as Campaign Manager of “Are You OK?”, discussing its goals and its work to open conversation around mental health among Syrian refugee women in Türkiye during the pandemic.
Watch the interviewEducation and recognition
The work behind the work
BA in Mass Communication and Journalism
Damascus University
Certificate in Data Analytics
Ironhack Berlin
Anthem Award
Are You OK? mental-health project