By: RO Maung Shwe
Meet Rohel Khan, a dedicated Rohingya student and a rising rap singer in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camp. His father, Rohul Amin, and mother, Imtiyaz Begum, originally hail from Nga Sa Kyu, also known as Naisapuru village, in northern Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, Myanmar.
In Myanmar, Rohel was a third-grade student, but his education was abruptly halted due to the persecution, mass killings, and atrocities committed by the Myanmar military against the Rohingya ethnic minority in 2017. Forced to flee for their safety, Rohel and his family arrived in Cox’s Bazar, joining the world’s largest and most overcrowded refugee camp, where thousands of other Rohingya had sought refuge from persecution.
Despite these hardships, Rohel never gave up on his dream of becoming a doctor. Determined to continue his education, he enrolled in private classes taught by community teachers. A year later, a community-based high school named Kayapuri High School was established inside the camp, where he was admitted to grade 5.
Since the education programs run by organizations like UNICEF, UNHCR, and other humanitarian groups do not provide a high-quality curriculum, Rohel chose to continue studying at Kayapuri High School, where he is now in grade 11. This community-led institution remains committed to providing quality education to Rohingya students despite limited resources.
“Currently, I am enrolled in the Refugee Higher Study program led by the Center for Peace and Justice (CPJ) under BRAC University. This opportunity is transforming my life and guiding me toward a professional path.”
The Journey into Music
Rohel chose rap and music as his platform because his people have been systematically persecuted and oppressed in Myanmar. He strongly believes that by highlighting their struggles through music, people will remember their painful history and ongoing hardships.
His inspiration to become a singer came from MS Aziz—a well-known and respected Rohingya youth and the first-ever motivational speaker in the Rohingya community. Before becoming a speaker, MS Aziz used to sing rap songs but later stopped. Rohel, who often listened to Aziz’s music, thought to himself:
“Now that MS Aziz is no longer singing, if I start this journey, people may enjoy my songs while also learning about our struggles.”
Rohel Khan’s goal is to advocate for the Rohingya cause and bring global attention to his people’s suffering through rap and music.
Musical Achievements and Challenges
His first song, “Rohingyar Kahani,” was uploaded on social media and, to his surprise, received encouragement from many well-known figures. His most popular and widely recognized song so far is “Monor Hotaa,” which has gained significant appreciation from listeners.
Rohel has never received financial support for equipment. Producing music videos requires various tools, including a DSLR camera, a laptop, a microphone, and stable electricity. He currently lacks these essential resources, making regular video production challenging. “Except for my smartphone, I don’t have anything,” he says. If he receives support in the future, he hopes to release music videos consistently.
Family and Community Support
Initially, Rohel’s parents, siblings, and neighbors did not support his musical aspirations. They even scolded him for pursuing rap music. However, as time passed and his songs gained popularity, their perspective changed. Now, they encourage and support him in his artistic journey.
Currently, he is also undergoing photography training, further expanding his creative skills.
A Voice for the Rohingya
Rohel Khan continues to use his music to spread awareness, preserve the Rohingya identity, and inspire the younger generation. Through rap and storytelling, he hopes to keep the Rohingya struggle alive in the world’s consciousness while empowering his community to stay resilient despite their hardships.
