Assam’s Miya poetry of protest leader, Dr. Hafiz Ahmed, to address Malabar Literature Festival

Kozhikode: Assam’s Miya poetry protest leader, Dr. Hafiz Ahmed, will address the Malabar Literature Festival that runs from November 31 – December 3 at Kozhikode Beach. Dr. Ahmed, a prominent figure in the Miya poetry movement in Assam, will participate in a session titled ‘Miya Poetry: Voices from Assam’s Margins’ at 3pm today (Friday).

Known for his influential book Write down I am Miya, Dr. Ahmed has authored over 16 Assamese books and is recognised as a poet, author, translator, and journalist.

Write down I am Miya, penned in 2016 as a protest against racism towards Miya Muslims, has led to eight legal cases against him. Despite being presently out on bail, he remains a vocal advocate against racial discrimination towards Muslims in India. His poem bears resemblance to Identity Card, a renowned work by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.

Born in a remote village in Barpeta District of Lower Assam on September 1, 1962, Dr. Ahmed is the founding President of the Char-Chapori Sahitya Parishad, Assam, an organisation dedicated to promoting Assamese language and literature among the Miya Muslims. He also presides over an NGO called Jhai Foundation, focusing on the economic and social betterment of Muslims in Assam.

Recognised for his contributions, Dr. Ahmed has received awards from over 20 organisations in Assam and West Bengal. The government of Assam has honored him twice for his significant role in Assamese literature and society. His poetry and short stories have been translated into various languages, including Bangla, Hindi, Malayalam, Punjabi, Arabic, and English, shedding light on the suppression and discrimination faced by marginalised communities in Assam.

Dr. Ahmed faced arrest on June 15th, 1984, for reporting on corruption within the state Education Minister of Assam at that time.