Ziaur Rahman, born in Buthidaung, is a 26-year-old activist who is well known in the Malaysian context. He is currently busy finishing his autobiographical manuscript, the working title of which is "Survivor: A Rohingya’s Journey"

(Interview published 24 July 2019)

What do you think are the main tasks facing Rohingya living in the diaspora?

There is no easy or quick solution and most of the world seem only to care about their own interests. If the diaspora become more successful, they might help to improve the situation.

I think the most important thing is to educate ourselves and engage with various civil society groups (not just NGO). And build international solidarity among the working class. Education and knowledge is very important for the future of Rohingya.

Since August 2017, many statements, reports and speeches have been made. Which one of these has impressed you the most and why?

There've been so many hundreds of these, and quite frankly most of them are unsatisfying. I always look to Rohingya sources of information like Rohingya Today for reliable information.

The testimony of refugees is important along with academic input made by Maung Zarni and others. I feel we can not rely only on human rights organizations. We have to think and organize differently.

The International Fact Finding Mission and the Kofi Annan Commission reports are very comprehensive and tell us a lot about the broader context (eg hate speech from monks etc), and not just the expulsion itself.

Which book in the last 5 years has made an impression on you?

"The Plight of the Stateless Rohingya: Responses of the state, Society & the International Community"- By Imtiaz Ahmed

What dream job would you like to have?

I want to be an humanitarian worker for my community and do advocacy work - especially for refugee rights. All refugees.

Would you care to share a happy childhood memory?

Eid in the camp. It didn't matter that we were far from our country. Every home in every camp becomes full during this period. The night before Eid, my mother used to ask me to find the the moon, because Eid will happen the next day if the new moon is spotted. i used to eagerly wait for news of sightings of the moon in the camp. The night before Eid is called “Chador Raat”

As soon as the new moon was sighted and Eid was confirmed, I would become excited. I would immediately start asking my mom, my grandmother, maternal aunt and uncles how much they were going to give me for Eid! Every Eid was joyous and these were very happy moments in my childhood life.

My mom would promise me something like 20 to 30 taka for Eid. She always saved some money for me to buy clothes. Whatever she could. On the day itself, after a bath, I would perform my ablutions and rush to the Mosque and listen to the “khutba” (sermon). I would pray for a better future. Sometimes I would wonder if i'll ever celebrate Eid in my homeland of Myanmar. Everyone would wear their new clothes and use a religious scent called “Atar”. After prayers, we would return home to eat special food like Semai (vermicelli). It is the first thing I used to eat on Eid day! It is vermicelli cooked with milk, sugar, and coconut. Of course there are many other types of sweet desserts cooked as well. We would meet my relatives, friends, and neighbors - some of whom perhaps i haven’t seen for months, or maybe years. Sometimes I would play with childhood friends. I would also visit the graves of my close relatives to pray for them. And of course we would buy ice-cream, balloons and balls. These were my best and happiest moments in my life.

What is currently your main worry about the Rohingya struggle?

I am very disappointed with Myanmar government policy. I am concerned about the uncertainty. Where are we going to live? When will we go home?

My biggest concern is that nothing will be done for the Rohingya, and they will continue to live in marginalized spaces (refugee camps or in the shadows in Asian cities) for a long time.

If we can have unity amongst us, then it will be a great accomplishment for Rohingya!

Who is your hero?

My mom is my hero. My father abandoned us when I was 2 years old. She struggled a lot. She continues to struggle to this day.