Hearing refugees’ side of the story through arts

In 2012, Syrian refugee Hasan Al-Akraa and his family left their home due to war and arrived in Malaysia seeking asylum.

Last year, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nottingham Malaysia. He is now working for a local NGO called Asylum Access, which provides legal services to refugees and asylum seekers.

“I'm also overseeing my non-profit organisation (Refugee Emergency Fund) which provides financial assistance to those in need,” Hasan told Malaysiakini.

This year, Hasan heads the task force that is organising The Refugee Festival, which will be held from Sept 8 to Sept 10, at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

Founded in 2016 by investigative journalist Mahi Ramakrishnan, The Refugee Festival is an annual event that offers Malaysians the opportunity to interact as well as be entertained by the refugee community here through their cultural expressions such as music, dance, art, and storytelling.

The programme includes live cultural performances, panel discussions, film screenings as well as a bazaar.

“I still remember the first festival that Mahi organised in 2016. I saw the poster on Facebook and contacted Mahi asking if I could share my story on stage.

“Mahi said yes and so I went there and shared my story. From then on, I made sure to attend every festival through the following years, either just as a volunteer or host,” recalled Hasan.

Mahi then asked Hasan to be on the organising committee of the 2019 festival, which he agreed to.

“That's where I took the opportunity to learn from Mahi and other team members about what goes on behind the scenes and how months of planning and preparation are needed to pull off a festival like this,” he explained.

Asked why he feels this festival is so important to the refugee community here as well as Malaysians, Hasan said, “The Refugee Festival is not just about celebrating the resilience of refugees and their talents, but also an opportunity for the public to correct all the misconceptions they have about us.

"We are not here to steal jobs or cause terror attacks like how some media portray us. We are human beings with hopes and aspirations, and we want Malaysians to see us that way."

Hasan believes the festival keeps getting more exciting each year, and this year will be especially unique because the task force is very diverse and all of them have come together to plan this festival with the best of intentions and with no funding at all.

“We put our trust in God and each other, and ultimately, we managed to pull it off with the support of so many individuals, donors and sponsors.

“You can expect a stellar programme with music, theatre, arts and crafts, exhibitions, dance, and so many other interesting activities!” enthused Hasan.

Indeed, the moment the task force put a call out for participants, they had over 70 people signing up.

“The majority are refugees and some are locals. Refugees see the need to have such a platform, where they can showcase their talents and share their stories,” said Hasan.

Having been here for over a decade, Hasan considers Malaysia his second home and hoped Malaysians would understand that sentiment.

“I grew up here. I speak Malay fluently, I eat local food, and I memorised the national anthem and the ‘Rukun Negara’.

"I love and appreciate this country as much as I love Syria. To be honest, I know more about Malaysia than Syria because I grew up here.

“I have not forgotten my roots and origins, but we (people on the move) have to adapt and integrate wherever we go.

“So my message to Malaysians is don’t judge me just because I’m a refugee but see me for who I am," he said.

As for his education, Hasan managed to get a scholarship from the University of Nottingham Malaysia.

Through the support of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and other kind individuals, he was given a golden opportunity to pursue his studies, something that he is forever grateful for.

“My plans for the future are to work hard, support my family and my two cats, and hopefully get into a master's programme somewhere in the world,” Hasan said.

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