6th Annual Genocide Remembrance Day

When people get to a new country, they tend to become busy while trying to settle down and with work so that they can live better. Among all these, we commemorate this event of the Rohingya Genocide every year to show that we have not forgotten what has happened, what's happening and what will be to our people back in our homeland.

This was a local event in Houston, Texas, held to commemorate 6th Year of Rohingya Genocide Day, to advocate for the Rohingya cause among the local Americans, to educate and develop Rohingya community settled in the region and identify how we could be each other's assistance and participate the US society, economy and politics.

RWDN Founder Sharifah Shakirah kicked off the event by welcoming everyone and stating that this night was about:

What we left behind, what we carry today and what comes next.

We heard from special guests Shwe Maung, former MP for Buthidaung Constituency of Arakan State, Myanmar and Ambassador Grover Joseph Rees. As a prominent member of the Rohingya diaspora, Mr. Maung spoke for probbably most people in the room when he said it wasn’t just about this anniversary, but that, “We have been remembering every day, every night” since that day six years ago.

We heard from Rohingya youth activist and leader Mohamad Faizal, from his essay “My Yesterday, My Today, My Tomorrow.” He told his story of leaving Myanmar with his father and how he is now enrolled at UT Austin, studying to be a doctor.

We also had a panel with representatives from International Literacy and Development's Rohingya Program and Books Unbound to focus on the progress and opportunity within the community. We also heard from community members, specifically the youth, about their desire to get access to English learning and US Citizenship classes. It was so encouraging to see their engagement and participation. Though it was for a somber anniversary, this night was a celebration of the Rohingya people and their spirit.

We will keep this up, inshallah.