By: RO Maung Shwe
In a world where the identity of an entire people is constantly under threat, Sirajul Islam stands with nothing but a pen—and yet, it is enough. A poet, writer, and activist, Sirajul is among a new generation of Rohingya youth who are refusing to let their stories die in silence.
From the banks of a narrow brook in Arakan to the congested refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, his journey is marked by displacement—but also by a sense of purpose.
Roots in Arakan, Uprooted by Genocide
Sirajul Islam was born in the tranquil village of Thinganet in Buthidaung Township, Rakhine State (Arakan), Myanmar. The son of Mohammed Johar and Hamida Khatun, he grew up amid the natural beauty of the countryside, shaped by the gentle rhythm of village life—but also shadowed by the state’s deep-seated discrimination against his people.
Despite studying up to Grade 9, his education was interrupted by the 2017 military-led genocide, which forced nearly one million Rohingya—including Sirajul and his family—to flee to Bangladesh. Since then, he has lived in the refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, where life is marked by uncertainty, restrictions, and the daily struggle for dignity.
A Poet Born in the Midst of Pain
But even in exile, Sirajul did not let his spirit fade. Instead, he found a sanctuary in literature—particularly in poetry. “I write for rights,” he says.
His words are sharp, honest, and emotionally raw—echoing the daily realities of a stateless people. In every stanza, he captures both the sorrow of exile and the stubborn hope that keeps the Rohingya alive.
For Sirajul, writing is more than self-expression; it is resistance. His poetry bears witness to trauma, amplifies silenced voices, and preserves the Rohingya identity that state violence has long tried to erase.
His love for nature, photography, and books continues to enrich his poetic imagery, drawing from both memory and imagination.
Published Works and the Power of the Pen
At only 21, Sirajul published his debut poetry collection titled “If I Were a Bird: A Voice of Resilience”—a moving reflection on the pain of borders, the longing for freedom, and the dream of flight.
A year later, he released his second book, “Still I Smile: A Voice for the Voiceless,” which explores the sorrow of displacement while celebrating human endurance.
His poems resonate not only within the Rohingya community but across cultural and political boundaries.
They serve as powerful tools for advocacy, reminding the international community that Rohingya youth are not just victims—they are creators, visionaries, and future changemakers.
Sample Poems by Sirajul Islam
If I Were A Bird
If I were a bird
I could fly everywhere
And reach whenever I want.
If I were a bird
I could sing freely
the melody of my art.
If I were a bird
I could cross any border
without passport and visa.
If I were a bird
I could never face hatred
and would be safe from war.
If I were a bird
I could enjoy my life
just the way I deserve.
If I were a bird
I could never realise
How unfair the world is!
This poem highlights the universal human longing for freedom—something stateless people like the Rohingya are constantly denied.
Night Is Not Romantic for Me
When the dawn approaches,
people worldwide prepare
to embrace moments of joy.
Some enjoy it having parties,
some cherish it with loved ones
under the reflection of stars.
But when the sun is ready to set,
I am filled with a sense of dread
daring to pass another harsh night.
Night is not romantic for me,
for I survive in such a place
where each night feels like
more than a century.
When the night unfolds,
my mind is occupied by fears,
sleep eludes my eyes,
I’m trapped in the snare of insomnia.
My night passes
punctuated by gunshots,
fearing arsonists and assailants
praying for the privilege
of witnessing another sunrise.
I am breathing dead at night,
though I breathe, I don’t feel alive.
With the sunrise, I come alive again.
Each sunrise gives me a new birth.
Night is not romantic for me.
It brings me only darkness,
the weight of desperation,
and the threats of death.
Through vivid metaphors and stark imagery, this poem captures the terrifying experience of surviving in a place where safety is never guaranteed—even at night.
Literature as Activism
Sirajul is not just a writer; he is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Rohingya Advancement Committee (RAC), a non-profit organization dedicated to community empowerment.
From organizing educational efforts to advocating for human rights, he envisions a future where young Rohingya can dream beyond survival—where they can write, learn, and lead.
His activism, like his writing, is deeply personal. He believes literature must serve the community—not just as an art form, but as a form of healing and resistance.
He dreams of a day when Rohingya literature flourishes alongside the world’s great literary traditions, with young poets from the camps contributing to global conversations.
“As long as I have a pen and paper, I am alive.
I write to survive. I write to remember.
I write because our voices must never fade.”
Looking Ahead: A Dream Beyond Borders
Now in his early twenties, Sirajul Islam remains determined to bring Rohingya literature to the global stage. He wants to study at a university, attend international literary festivals, and one day compete among the world’s best poets—not for fame, but to carry the story of his people forward.
But until that dream becomes reality, he continues writing from the camp—sitting under plastic roofs, surrounded by barbed wire and bamboo, transforming trauma into verse.
Conclusion: A Pen That Refuses to Be Silent
Sirajul Islam’s journey is a testament to what it means to be young, stateless, and unbreakable. Through his poetry and advocacy, he ensures that the Rohingya voice is not lost—that it sings, aches, and demands justice.
His story is not only of survival but of revival—of turning pain into purpose and of making language a home when one has none.
As long as his people are denied freedom, Sirajul will keep writing—and in doing so, he offers the world a glimpse into the enduring spirit of a forgotten nation.
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