MEET Qamar Hashim, the 8-year-old photographer

Eight-year-old Qamar Hashim is a celebrity in his country. Holding his SLR camera close to his chest, Hashim wanders in the streets of Iraqi capital Baghdad shooting dramatic landscapes of country trying to resurrect itself.

Hashim first took up the camera at the age of four when many of his age would be trying hard to hold a crayon properly. Using the equipment of his photojournalist father, he started taking pictures of the Tigris river, birds, old houses and heritage places in Iraq.

Today, the young Iraqi's works are on display at Baghdad's photo galleries.

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In a recent interview to Reuters, Hashim said: "Photography is very important. It documents life and pauses time. We can show the city, life and the people."

"I want to say through my pictures that Iraq is precious and Iraqis are very kind. Iraq is peaceful and has a great history."

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When asked about his take on the American troops leaving Iraq, Hashim responded: "I am afraid of the US soldiers. They destroyed the house my family rented in 2003, when I was a foetus. Thank God my family survived and I am happy now for their departure. I am free and not afraid of their tanks."

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On being probed about the best photo he has taken, the eight-year-old said: "My favourite picture is of a man sleeping who sells books at al-Mutanabi street. Also a picture of a bee on a rose, I ran a lot to follow the bee until I got this picture."

"When I see something I like, I look at it through my zens, zoom in if it's far away. As for my height, I'm not short...I can reach. "

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What does the future have in store for such an accomplished and creative spirit? Apparently photography is not Hashim's only passion. He said in an interview: "I like to act and I would like to be a child-activist."

Whatever avenue Hashim chooses to pursue, he is off to a wonderful start.

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