By Ro Maung Shwe
Sarwar Shah, a 21-year-old Rohingya youth and the youngest son of Abdul Haque, comes from Nga Khuya village in northern Maungdaw Township, Arakan (Rakhine State), Myanmar. He once dreamed of finishing his matriculation exams and pursuing a medical career.
That dream was shattered in 2017, when waves of violence and genocidal attacks forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee their homes. Like many others, Sarwar became a victim of systematic persecution. Entire villages were burned, women and girls raped, and community leaders arbitrarily imprisoned. Innocent people were gunned down or killed brutally. Sarwar witnessed scenes no child should ever see, leaving him deeply scarred.
Fearing for their lives, his father urged the family to flee. “Myanmar will never be peaceful for us. Let’s save our lives while we can,” he said. On the way to Bangladesh, Sarwar saw horrors etched permanently into his memory—people slaughtered, children burned alive, and bodies floating in the Naf River. He remembers the water turning red with the blood of his people.
When the family finally crossed into Bangladesh, they were met with compassion. Border guards and local residents provided food, clothing, and shelter. They first found refuge in Kharang Khali village in Teknaf, staying there for six months before moving to Kutupalong refugee camp, where Sarwar still lives today.
Despite such turmoil, Sarwar refused to give up on education. He completed his matriculation in 2020 and went on to pursue private and online courses in advocacy, leadership, human rights, civic education, and communication. His dream of becoming a doctor remains out of reach due to lack of access to higher education, but he still hopes that one day it may be possible.
Over the years, Sarwar has worked with several local and international organizations. Today, he serves as a Facilitator and Youth Trainer at the Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ), BRAC University. He is also an Advocate at the Rohingya Advocacy Centre and the Program Coordinator of the Rohingya Youth Advocacy Network (RYAN). Beyond these roles, he is a passionate writer and an English language instructor.
Through CPJ, Sarwar received training in leadership, advocacy, human rights, and communication. His dedication was recognized when he won First Prize in an essay writing competition jointly organized by UNHCR, IOM, UNICEF, World Vision, ISCG, and RRRC, alongside Bangladesh’s Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, on the occasion of World Refugee Day. The theme of the competition was “My Neighbour, My Friend.”
Speaking on behalf of Rohingya youth, Sarwar stresses that every human being deserves education. He believes Rohingya youth, if given equal opportunities, could become doctors, engineers, lawyers, and professionals across all fields.
“Education is the light that guides us through the darkest paths,” he says.
As a writer, Sarwar documents the untold stories of his community—stories of pain, injustice, and survival, both inside Myanmar and in the refugee camps. He calls on the international community and human rights advocates to listen to these voices and address the systemic injustices that Rohingya continue to face.
Through his work as a facilitator, Sarwar meets countless talented young students—youth full of determination and potential. Yet he laments that without proper access to education, most of their aspirations remain unfulfilled.
Sarwar Shah’s journey is one of resilience and hope. His unwavering commitment to justice and education has made him a voice for the voiceless and a symbol of what refugee youth can achieve if given the chance. In a world where refugee voices are often silenced, Sarwar stands as proof that with opportunity, Rohingya youth can rise, lead, and help shape a brighter future for their community.
