Layl Ash-Shayr

About the Programme

Layl Ash-Shayr, which loosely translates to "Poetry Night", is an open-mic and spoken word event for Muslim writers in Singapore to share their work and engage with fellow creatives.

For every session, we will try to invite 1-2 featured guests to share their work and, in doing so, hopefully inspire budding writers. We will also open up the stage for 5 open-mic slots for emerging voices in the SG Muslim literary scene to perform, gain experience and network with other fellow writers. Ultimately, we hope to build a network of Muslim writers who can support one another in their literary journeys.

IN-STORE EVENT

In-person Only
Date: 6 July 2023 (Thursday)
Time: 7.45pm to 9.30pm
Venue: Wardah Books reading Loft (Level 2), Stairs only

Free event, but registration is compulsory.

Register here: Click to register

About the Open-Mic

We are welcoming Muslim poets of any experience level, whether you’ve attended classes, published poems or have never let your poetry leave your notebook/smart phone, we want you! Here are some guidelines for you to follow:

• You will have 5 mins to perform any number of pieces.
• There is no set theme. Pick any topic for your piece!
• That said, please ensure religious sensitivity and tactfulness when addressing sensitive topics, and generally avoid using crude language in your poems. We may request poems to be swapped or partially edited to ensure they are suitable for our audience.
• Your poems can take any shape and form - be experimental about it! Just let us know in advance should you need tech/equipment support.
• Non-English poems or poems with snippets of other languages can be performed, but we do request you provide an English translation (whether read aloud or shared on screen/through a link!).
• Your poems can be previously published, living rent free in your head or written mere minutes prior!

About the Speakers

Ameera Aslam is a writer, poet, translator, editor, and activist. Her work has appeared in various publications locally and internationally. Desiring Light, her first poetry anthology, won the Daybreak Press Book Awards in 2021 and her second book, These Ramadan Lights, was launched in May at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2023.

Click here to purchase These Ramadan Lights.

Humairah is a teacher, book reviewer, reader, writer and poet. She has performed spoken word poetry in various public and school events. Her articles and poems have been published in various publications and websites. In 2019, she published her debut book of poems titled ‘Homebound’.

Click here to purchase Homebound.