Poetry & the Refugee Experience

We continue Season 4 of RawPods with Rivers of Resilience - a special series centering those with lived experiences of migration, displacement, and those working alongside migrant and refugee communities.

In this episode, we speak with Siraj ul Islam, a Rohingya poet and activist originally from Myanmar, who has been living as a refugee since 2017.

Siraj has dedicated himself to writing and advocacy for the rights and dignity of his community. Through poetry, he bears witness to displacement, loss, and survival, while also asserting presence, memory, and resistance. He has internationally published two poetry collections amplifying Rohingya voices and experiences often erased from global narratives.

Together, we explore poetry and the refugee experience — how creative expression becomes testimony, archive, and refuge; how language carries home when home is denied; and how writing sustains identity in conditions of exile.

This conversation is part of Rawanee’s ongoing commitment to centering global-majority voices and refugee narratives with care, depth, and respect.

🎧 Watch or listen now on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

RawPods | Rivers of Resilience

#RawPods #RiversOfResilience #RefugeeVoices #Rohingya #PoetryAndJustice #MigrationStories #GlobalMajorityVoices #PoetryPodcast

We continue Season 4 of RawPods with Rivers of Resilience, a special series exploring migrant lived experiences and those working tirelessly for advocacy, justice, and human rights.

In this episode, we speak with Camilla Reeve who is a poet, writer, and founder of Palewell Press. Her work amplifies voices shaped by justice, displacement, war, and the climate crisis. Through poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, her publishing centres overlooked communities and urgent global challenges.

Camilla’s work bridges publishing and creative expression, grounded in empathy, resilience, and social responsibility.

Content Disclaimer:

This episode includes references to sensitive topics related to war, displacement, and human rights. The views and opinions expressed by guests on our podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Rawanee or its team. We respect and value our guests’ perspectives and their right to share their views.

Watch or listen now on Spotify, YouTube or any podcast platform.

#RawPods #RiversOfResilience #CamillaReeve #PalewellPress #HumanRights #MigrationStories #RefugeeVoices #PoetryAndJustice #SocialJusticePodcast #ClimateCrisis

For Independence Day 2025, Rawanee revisits a special moment — songs performed by the children of Surtaal Academy three years ago — alongside photographs from our community for #InEveryPixelAStory, part of our upcoming publication Patan Ki Mitti.This episode is tribute to how we’ve marked Independence over the years: through poetry, music, and conversations about identity, belonging, and freedom. We look forward to keeping the conversation alive in future our events, publications, and podcasts - through performances, recitations, and shared stories.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation: [Podcast link]Connect with Rawanee:🌐 Website: Rawanee.com📷 Instagram: www.instagram.com/rawanee.creatives📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/rawanee.creatives 👥 Join our community:   / 1176103889397810  

As conflict and war escalate in many parts of the world, the number of refugees continues to rise—and so do polarising views on migration. In response, we bring you Rivers of Resilience, a powerful new series exploring migrant lives, art, and advocacy as part of Season 4 of RawPods.

In this episode, we meet Asma Rashed, who fled the war in Syria, found refuge in Jordan, and eventually resettled in France. While in Jordan, Asma launched a grassroots reading and education initiative for girls, driven by hope and determination amidst displacement.

This episode focuses on the beginning of her journey—why she left Syria, and her immediate experience as a refugee in Jordan. Asma's story is one of courage, resilience, and resistance, and we’ll continue our conversation with her in future episodes.

#RiversOfResilience #BelongingInMotion #migrationshavestories #multilingual #rawanee #creativethinking #creativethought #creativeexpression #arabic #refugee #anticolonial #community #belonging #support #stories #power #courage #freedom #resilience #literature #reading #letsread #grassroots

Experience the rich tradition of Urdu Sufi poetry in this special episode as we bid goodbye to Ramadan and celebrate Eid.

Featuring a journey through Urdu Sufi poetry and timeless works of renowned Urdu Sufi poets, presented by Rafey Zuberi

and select verses from Rumi shared by other event guests including Sara Zamir and Talhah, hosted by Muniba.

Learn about the history of Sufi poetry, its connection to mysticism and faith, and its enduring influence.

Perfect for poetry lovers, spiritual seekers, and those looking to reflect. ✨ Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

RawPods Season 4, Episode 2

www.rawanee.com

In this special Ramadan episode of community reflection, we explore the profound themes of mercy, forgiveness, and salvation - both as Divine attributes and as human experiences.

The reflections are guided by an understanding of Allah’s names that speak to these traits (as based on Al Ghazali’s work) and based on other texts.

Through discussion and reflection, we consider how an understanding of these traits shape our spiritual growth and personal journeys.

Tune in to listen, reflect, and find inspiration in this sacred season.

Main Contributors: Muniba Mahmud & Saira Farooq,Joined by: Laiba Khan & guests

RawPods Season 4 | Episode 1

Connect with us across our channels:

Website: Rawanee.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/Rawanee.Creatives

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Rawanee.Creatives

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176103889397810/

#reflections #creativethought #ramadan #ghazali #divine

#literature #poetry #pakistan  #rawanee #creativethinking #creativethought #creativeexpression #pakistanipoetry #pakistaniliterature #urdupoetry #urduliterature #englishpoetry #englishliterature #southasianpoetry #southasianliterature #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity #poetrypodcast #performancepoetry #spokenwordpoetry #multilingual

An event to celebrate the life and message of the best of creation and praise the Creator, hosted in September 2024.

Background sound: Maula ya Salli by Muhammad Al Hasayn

https://youtu.be/1mfEqSzmGno?si=9vU-17hmwCe0eNhp

Hammad Rind and Nadir Feroz Khan represent Pakistan and Rawanee as they recite their multilingual work at Poetry Night, at the Poetry Cafe in Feb 2024. The recitations include poetry in languages spoken in Pakistan.

Intro Music: Sohni Dharti instrumental by Leo Twins

RawPods Season 3 | Episode 5

Connect with us across our channels:

Website: Rawanee.com  

Instagram: @Rawanee.Creatives

Facebook: @RawaneeCreatives

Twitter: /RawaneeCreative

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176103889397810/

#multilingual #independence day #14thaugust #literature #poetry #pakistan  #rawanee #creativethinking #creativethought #creativeexpression #pakistanipoetry #pakistaniliterature #urdupoetry #urduliterature #englishpoetry #englishliterature #southasianpoetry #southasianliterature #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity #poetrypodcast #performancepoetry #spokenwordpoetry 

“Poems from Munir Niazi, Siddiq Kalim and Adeen Taji as shared by their relatives”

Spoken to & recited by Akbar Khan (Munir Niazi), Natasha Qureshi (Siddiq Kalim) & Mariam Magsi (Adeen Taji)

RawPods Season 3 | Episode 4

Connect with us across our channels:

Website: Rawanee.com  

Instagram: @Rawanee.Creatives

Facebook: @RawaneeCreatives

Twitter: /RawaneeCreative

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176103889397810/

#preservation #literature #poetry #pakistan  #rawanee #creativethinking #creativethought #creativeexpression #pakistanipoetry #pakistaniliterature #urdupoetry #urduliterature #englishpoetry #englishliterature #southasianpoetry #southasianliterature #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity #poetrypodcast #performancepoetry #spokenwordpoetry #multilingual

“Spiritual and reflective poetry to celebrate Arafah Day & Eid ul Adha”

Written & recited by Laiba Khan, Muniba Mahmud, Talhah Mohammed

RawPods Season 3 | Episode 3