By: RO Maung Shwe
In a world where the voices of the persecuted are often drowned out by silence, Mayyu Foyajul Islam speaks through poetry. He is a young Rohingya author, teacher, and humanitarian whose words carry the weight of a people uprooted from their land—and the unyielding spirit of survival. From the burning villages of Arakan to the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, his journey is one of pain, purpose, and poetry.
Rooted in Arakan, Uprooted by Genocide
Born in Taungbazar Goke Phy village, Buthidaung Township, in Rakhine State (Arakan), Myanmar, Foyajul Islam is the son of Abdur Rahman, a farmer, and Rashida Khatun, a devoted houseworker. As the eldest among his siblings, he describes his parents as “the best guardians of his life,” for their endless sacrifices and support.
Before violence shattered his homeland, Foyajul was a Grade 9 student at Taungbazar High School, passionate about poetry, literature, and the scenic beauty of his native land. He admired Rohingya poets like Mayyu Ali and Tun Lin Soe, whose verses spoke truth to power.
“I dreamed of becoming a writer who would tell the world about my people. But our lives were already limited by restrictions. We had no voice, no rights.”
A Forced Exodus and the Struggle for Survival
In 2017, the Myanmar military launched a full-scale campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya. Like hundreds of thousands, Foyajul and his family were forced to flee their home, leaving behind their village, schoolbooks, and dreams. The journey to Bangladesh was harrowing, and life in the camps offered no real peace.
“We left not because we wanted to—but because we had no choice. Staying meant death or a life without dignity.”
Settling in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camps, Foyajul witnessed a new kind of hardship: overcrowded shelters, limited access to education, and the constant uncertainty of being stateless. But instead of giving in to despair, he turned to teaching and writing as tools of empowerment.
He began working as a teacher with BRAC, guiding other Rohingya youth while continuing his own studies online. “Words,” he believes, “can preserve identity when borders erase it.”
Literature as Resistance and Restoration
Foyajul sees writing not just as an art, but as an act of survival. In the absence of statehood, he believes poetry is a homeland in itself—an emotional refuge and a political weapon.
“Writing is not just a passion. It is a duty—to remember, to resist, and to rise.”
He has authored two collections of poetry:
- The Untold Memoirs of Arakan
- Resilient Rohingya: Rising from the Ashes
These works blend themes of exile, memory, and resilience, reflecting both the beauty of his lost homeland and the pain of ongoing statelessness. His literary inspirations include Rohingya writers like Mayyu Ali and Mohammed Erfun Amin, who, like him, use verse to speak truth from the margins.
Voices of Rohingya – A Poem by Mayyu Foyajul Islam
Voices of Rohingya
No one cares about the plight of the Rohingya.
One night of a refugee’s life feels like a year in these camps.
Willing to die for my homeland, even as a refugee,
I will die for peace with my heart,
I struggle in these camps because I am Rohingya.
Facing unforeseen challenges—
Still, world leaders remain silent.
But we, the Rohingya, strive
To bring peace and freedom.
Raising our voices is better than remaining silent.
“In the shadows of the deep ocean, we rest with fears and tears.
When night falls, I contemplate finding a better place to sleep—free from fears and tears,”
— says Mayyu Foyajul Islam.
Building Hope for the Future
Despite the daily struggles of refugee life, Foyajul continues to work for an NGO to support his family while pursuing his dream of higher education. His goals are not only literary but also social: to establish educational programs for Rohingya youth, publish more books, and raise global awareness about his people’s struggle.
“My ultimate dream is to return to a peaceful Arakan, where Rohingya can live freely—without fear, without discrimination.”
He also hopes to compete on the international literary stage, carrying with him the stories of those who remain unheard.
Conclusion: A Pen That Refuses to Be Silenced
Mayyu Foyajul Islam’s story is not just one of exile—it is one of resistance. In the face of genocide, statelessness, and despair, he has found meaning through poetry. His voice echoes the pain, pride, and hope of an entire generation of Rohingya youth who refuse to disappear.
Through his writing, he not only preserves Rohingya history—he shapes its future. And as long as words exist, he will continue to speak for those who cannot.
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