Wikipedia has always been my go-to website for learning about my favorite artists, movies, and countless other topics that sparked my curiosity. I would spend hours exploring its pages, marveling at the wealth of knowledge it offered. But despite my admiration for this treasure trove of information, I never imagined myself as someone who could actively contribute to it. It felt like something reserved for experts, historians, or academics—certainly not for someone like me.
That perception changed one fateful day when a friend shared their incredible experience contributing to Wikipedia. They spoke with such passion about how they had made a difference, particularly by enriching the Arabic content. Listening to them, a spark ignited within me. Could I, too, leave my mark on this vast digital library? That evening, driven by a mix of curiosity and excitement, I created my account on Wikipedia. Little did I know, this decision would lead to a transformative journey.
As a software engineer, I initially approached Wikipedia with a technical mindset. Exploring its interface, I was thrilled to discover that editing an article wasn’t just about writing—it was also about understanding and manipulating its underlying structure. The moment I opened an article in source-editing mode, it felt like staring at lines of code waiting to be optimized. I found a sense of familiarity in the HTML-like syntax and the meticulous way information was structured. This connection between my technical skills and the platform made me fall in love with contributing even more.
I started small, fixing punctuation errors and tweaking sentence structures to make the content more readable. Over time, I gained confidence and began creating and expanding articles. This process taught me invaluable lessons about the art of writing. I learned how to punctuate Arabic and English correctly and developed an eye for detail. Beyond the technical satisfaction, I felt a deep emotional reward knowing I was helping enrich the Iraqi and Arabic digital landscape.
Then came an opportunity that forever solidified my commitment to this mission. I stumbled upon a competition organized by “Wikimedia Iraq,“ aimed at enriching Arabic Wikipedia with content about Iraq. The theme resonated with me deeply. As someone passionate about our rich history and heritage, I saw this as a chance to combine my love for technology with my pride in my culture.
I decided to focus on translating English articles about Mesopotamian gods and their connections to Iraqi civilization. These articles were more than just translations—they were windows into the soul of an ancient culture that shaped the world. With every word I wrote, I felt a profound sense of responsibility to ensure accuracy and authenticity. It was challenging, but my background in software engineering helped me tackle it systematically, breaking down complex information and presenting it clearly.
During the competition, I poured my heart and soul into my work, crafting articles that could resonate with readers and illuminate Iraq’s incredible legacy. When the results were announced, I was thrilled to learn that I had scored 2,412 points and over the span of just one month, I added 65 articles to the Arabic Wikipedia, contributing a total of 650,000+ bytes of knowledge. This achievement not only reflected my dedication but also underscored how much can be accomplished when one is driven by a purpose. Every article represented a story, a piece of history, or a slice of culture that would help others understand and appreciate Iraq’s rich heritage.
Yet, this is only the beginning of my journey. While I’ve primarily focused on creating and enriching content, I aspire to contribute technically in the future as well. As a software engineer, I am eager to explore ways to improve the platform’s tools and infrastructure, enabling even more contributors to share their knowledge with the world. It’s a way of giving back to the very system that has empowered me and countless others.
Today, I look back at my journey with immense gratitude. Wikipedia is no longer just a website I visit for information; it is a platform where I actively shape knowledge for others. As a software engineer, I appreciate the incredible system that powers it, but more importantly, as an Iraqi, I cherish the opportunity to represent my culture and history.
Contributing to Wikipedia has shown me that we all have the power to leave a legacy of knowledge. If my story inspires even one person to take the leap and start contributing, then I will consider it another small victory in this ongoing journey. Together, we can ensure the voices of our histories and heritages continue to echo in the vast expanse of human knowledge.
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