Layl Ash-Shayr 12

About the Programme

Layl Ash-Shayr, which loosely translates from Arabic 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 our seventh session in 2024, we’re excited to have Ahmad Ubaidillah and Tiara Hamarian. 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.

Event Details

Day/Date: Monday, 9th September 2024
Time: 8.15pm - 9.45pm (doors open at 8pm)
Venue: Wardah Books, Reading Loft (Level 2)

Ticketed event, registration is compulsory.
General Ticket: $10
LAS Supporter Ticket: $15
Purchase tickets here: tinyurl.com/laylash-shayr12

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:

1. You will have 5 mins to perform any number of pieces.
2. There is no set theme. Pick any topic for your piece!
3. 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.
4. Your poems can take any shape and form - be experimental about it! Just let us know in advance should you need tech/equipment support.
5. 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!).
6. Your poems can be previously published, living rent-free in your head or written mere minutes prior!

About the Speakers

Ahmad Ubaidillah was born and raised in Singapore. He is a graduate of Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah and Madrasah Irsyad Zuhri Al-Islamiah. He holds an Islamic Jurisprudence degree from Yarmouk University, Jordan. His debut novel, In Search of An Oasis, was published in 2024 under GerakBudaya. He is also the translator of the novella, Tok Sumang, originally written by Malay literary pioneer Muhammad Ariff Ahmad.

Tiara Hamarian is an educator (MEd.) navigating the metropolitan whirlwind that is Singapore. When she isn’t teaching, she is writing about tangled relationships, alternate realities, the millennial experience, or working on a collection of contemporary ghazals inspired by Persian poet Hafez. Tiara was the recipient of both the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal and Koh Tai Ann Gold Medal awards in 2018.