Layl Ash-Shayr 7

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 second session in 2024, we’re excited to have Mohamed Shaker and Bani Haykal. 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, 8th February 2024
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. 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

Mohamed Shaker is a Singaporean writer based in Singapore. Currently an educator, his writing has been published in PR&TA journal, The Best Asian Short Stories 2022, and The Second Link, among others. His writing explores how Singapore and Singaporeans continue to live with and in their past in the present.

Bani Haykal experiments with text and music. his work revolves around human-machine relationships / intimacies, examining and reflecting on how tools and technologies have shaped and continue to shape our experiences from commuting to communicating, navigating places and people

(photo credit for Bani Haykal: Marc Nair)