Every time she appears on television, it is as if she steps onto the screen with the same eagerness she felt the very first time, six years ago. The secret is passion. Passion brings brilliance and breaks routine. That is Shajan Saad: she brought joy and broke the sorrow.
Shajan Saad is a young Iraqi media figure, moving steadily toward greater heights, avoiding the kind of rapid rise that sends a person back down just as quickly. She chose to climb the ladder slowly, step by step, and achieved what she wanted. With her “twin” — her light, sparkling smile — she has become a source of delight on every screen and at every stop along her journey.
Since childhood, Shajan Saad has been chasing a career in media, and the winds blew as her ship desired. She excelled in the field both academically and professionally, and never strayed from her path, because she struck a balance between classicism and modernity, upholding the value of Iraqi media and pulling it away from the shallowness of opportunistic newcomers.
In this interview, Shajan Saad opens her heart to Al-Hal Net and takes us through her world — from childhood, through the dreams of adolescence, to where she is today — as well as stories from her daily life, her moves between cities, and her ambitions for the future.
• Who is Shajan Saad beyond the image we know from the media?
– Away from social media, I’ll reveal a few secrets about my personality. I’m calm, cheerful, and stubborn. At the same time, I’m shy — though that may not show on screen, because I overcame my shyness in front of the camera. I’m also a peaceful person, at peace with myself, and I believe my greatest strength lies in my ability to quietly and calmly let go of anything that tries to disturb the reassurance and peace within me, no matter how important it may be to me.
• What was your childhood like? Was it full of “sorrow,” or did you get more of your sister Shaghaf’s “passion” instead?
– They say a person has a share of their name. My share of mine was not great, though it was not entirely without sorrow. My childhood was calm, surrounded by my family — my father, my mother, and my two sisters, Shahd and Shaghaf. I loved the name Shaghaf very much and wished it were mine. I always tease my mother about it, because she had wanted to name me Shaghaf, then changed her mind at the last moment and named me Shajan instead. Then she was blessed with my younger sister and gave her the name Shaghaf.
• Did you live through happy days amid war and sectarianism? And did your family also have to leave the capital like so many others?
– I don’t remember the war very well; I was young then, not yet seven years old. But I do remember that we left the capital for Baladruz in Diyala until things stabilized. We did not stay long, and soon returned to Baghdad to face our fate like any Iraqi citizen at the time. Then things worsened, and the sectarian war came — one of the worst periods of my life, and I believe one of the worst periods in the life of every Iraqi. Fear was present in every soul. Everyone was afraid — if not for themselves, then for those they loved. Many were forced into exile abroad, and we lost many relatives and friends. It was a dark period, and thankfully it passed, never to return.
• You loved media from a young age, unlike your family’s preference that you study law. What made you love this field?
– I loved media because of my passion for the Arabic language, and I inherited that passion and love from my mother, who is an educator and a teacher of Arabic. My mother planted in me a love for Arabic, so I would watch television and listen to news anchors and the way they delivered the news. Sometimes I would even parse the news item grammatically, focusing more on delivery and proper vocalization than on the content of the news itself. I was one of the outstanding students in Arabic class.
• How did your family react when your wish prevailed and you were accepted into the College of Media in Baghdad?
– Since secondary school, I had wanted to join the College of Media, while my family wanted me to study law. So I applied to both, to satisfy everyone: law through the regular admissions track, and media through direct application. The winds blew as my ship desired, and my family accepted it very warmly. They supported me at every step throughout my university studies and continue to do so to this day. My father has been very protective of me from my very first appearance on screen until now. He follows all my appearances closely and writes me notes about my look, my delivery, and sometimes even my presenting style.
• You worked as an editor for a time. How would you describe your experience in journalism? And do you still have feelings for it?
– Editorial work in journalism captivates my heart. I believe that a news anchor or program host cannot truly master their craft unless they are, first and foremost, a journalist. A journalist who has practiced editorial work has nothing to fear when moving into television media. I believe they have an advantage over others.
• How did you move from behind the scenes into television media? And what did the screen give you compared with print journalism?
– At first, working in television never crossed my mind. I wanted to practice journalism behind the scenes, but colleagues and friends told me I had one of those faces the camera loves, and they felt it would be unfair to myself to stay away from the screen. They encouraged me, and the idea began to grow in my mind. When the opportunity came, I did not hesitate and entered television media. The camera gave me greater self-confidence and helped refine my personality. It taught me punctuality, precision, and the importance of keeping my margin of error as close to zero as possible.
• Between Dijlah, Al-Sharqiya, and Al-Iraqiya, you passed through important stations. Which place shaped you most, and where did you find your spirit?
– Every channel I worked for left a special mark on me, taught me something, and added a great deal to my experience, whether Dijlah or Al-Iraqiya. But working at Al-Sharqiya had a special pleasure to it. There, I saw a reflection of what I dream of: boldness in addressing issues and real concern for citizens’ problems. I feel that Al-Sharqiya placed me where I truly belong and gave me what I genuinely deserved — morally and materially alike. Every day of work there adds to my experience and knowledge. Working there is not just a job; it is a school that shapes you into a true media professional. In my view, simply having worked there is a major credential, and being a colleague to such prominent names is an honor and a source of pride. When I worked there, I realized that its top ranking in studies and polls did not come out of nowhere, but from the great effort and care of those who run it and work in it.
• Because of work, you moved between Amman, Erbil, and your birthplace, Baghdad. How would you describe your experiences in each city? Which is closest to your heart, and what sets it apart from the others?
– I lived for a period in Amman when I was working with Dijlah. Amman is a beautiful, calm city where I had my first experience of independence and relying on myself. It was also the first time I had been away from my family and friends. Erbil is also a beautiful city. The common trait between the two is their calmness. But Baghdad remains in my heart. Hardly a month passes without my returning to it, even if only for a single day. I long for Baghdad, and the longing is unsettling.
• You gave up an enticing offer from an Arab channel for the sake of your master’s degree. Can you tell us which channel it was? And do you regret that sacrifice?
– Yes, that’s true. I received an enticing offer to work for an Arab channel in a non-Arab country. Of course, I can’t reveal its name because that is confidential. At the time, I was preparing my master’s thesis, and I told them I couldn’t leave it. I do not regret that decision, because I believe that everything is destined and written, and what is meant for you will not go to someone else.
• Academically, what drove you to pursue a master’s degree? What have postgraduate studies brought you? And could we one day see you as a university professor? If so, would you leave media or balance the two?
– Earning a master’s degree is a dream that must be fulfilled, and I consider it an important and essential step. I aspire to become a university professor, and if I am given the opportunity to teach at university, I will take that step. But I will not leave the screen; I will try to balance both fields.
• You worked as a correspondent, a program presenter, and a newsreader, but you are especially passionate about the last of these. What is the secret behind your love of reading the news?
– I progressed in my work from editor to news correspondent, and I also presented programs. My journey was crowned by becoming a newsreader. I feel that my work as a news anchor is the closest to my personality, and it is where I truly find myself. I believe it is my rightful place. But who knows — perhaps one day I will have a program of my own.
• On TikTok, some clips describe you as “the beautiful girl from Kirkuk.” Are you actually from Kirkuk or not?
– The truth is, I’m from Baghdad — Baghdadi by birth and upbringing. I was just as surprised as everyone else when some social media pages described me as the beautiful girl from Kirkuk. I don’t know why they specifically chose Kirkuk for me, and why Kirkuk rather than any other province. I would be honored to be considered one of the daughters of beautiful Kirkuk, a city of creativity and excellence, and I hope to visit it soon. But I am a daughter of Baghdad through and through.
• What is your daily life like? And what do you do on your days off?
– I’m a homebody who doesn’t like leaving the house, and when I do, I miss it and want to return. After work, I spend my time talking with family and friends, watching a film, listening to the news, following political programs, or reading a book. Most of my outings are for shopping or paying bills, and only occasionally for leisure. On my days off, I usually make a quick visit to Baghdad to see family and friends.
• Who is your favorite singer, and what song are you always humming?
– I love many singers, both male and female. I listen to Kadim Al Sahir, Abdul Majeed Abdullah, Wael Kfoury, Majida El Roumi, Sherine, Elissa, and I also love the songs of Mayada El Hennawy. These days, I keep humming “Al-Mustabidda” by the Caesar.
• Are you a night owl, Shajan? Do you prefer the night or the day? Summer or winter?
– Between day and night, I choose the night. I find comfort in its quiet and stillness, and I feel more capable of getting things done and more energetic in the evening. Between summer and winter, I choose winter. The sight of fireplaces, warm atmospheres, and rain captivates me, not to mention the elegance and beauty of winter clothes. It is a love that never ends.
• How would you describe the experience of living away from the family home? And did you adapt to it?
– Living away from my family was difficult at first, both for me and for them, but over time I adapted. I miss the warmth of family gatherings, especially since we are a very affectionate family and deeply attached to one another. It is true that independence made me stronger and more self-reliant, but I still long for the days of being pampered. It is a dilemma between the desire for independence and self-reliance, and the love of being pampered and cared for.
• What difficulties have you faced in life, and how did you overcome them?
– I don’t think there is any job without difficulties, let alone journalism — the profession of hardship. I went through hard days that I thought would never pass, but I overcame them with patience, strength, faith in myself, and, of course, divine grace.
• Aside from moving into international media, what other ambitions do you have in life?
– My ambition is to complete a PhD at the University of Baghdad. Work circumstances delayed me this year from achieving that dream, but I am determined to attain it, God willing.
