Layl Ash-Shayr 6

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. After a short break, we are back for our first session in 2024 with Suffian Hakim and Yasmin Zaini. 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

In-person Only
Day/Date: Thursday, 11th January 2023
Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Wardah Books, Reading Loft (Level 2)

Ticketed event, registration is compulsory.
General Ticket: $5 LAS Supporter Ticket: $10

Purchase tickets here: Click to purchase

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

Described by the Straits Times as "one of the most whimsical, creative and unpretentious young voices in Singapore literature", Suffian Hakim is the award-winning, bestselling author of three novels including the popular parody, Harris bin Potter and The Stoned Philosopher. He is also a playwright, screenwriter and a culture journalist at local men's magazine Augustman.

As cliché as it sounds, ever since she could remember, Yasmin Zaini was always trying to make sense of the world by stringing words together through prose and rhyme. By the age of 18 she’s been rooted and uprooted enough times to find her place at the misfits’ table- or the third culture kids’ group, wherever on the world map she‘s planted. Now a mom of boys and back in her homeland, she’s no more at home than a hermit crab in its temporary abode; it fits... for now!