Rokeya - A Tribute by Shaheen Westcombe MBE
Today marks the birth and death anniversary of Rokeya Sakhawat Hossein. On this special occasion we are re-posting a poem by Shaheen Westcombe MBE on Rokeya S. Hossain. We hope our present and the future torch bearers of Rokeya will be inspired by the poem as much as we did.
ROKEYA
I looked at Rokeya
The inspiration she brought
Over a century later
For everything she fought
Don’t learn your language
To evil it will lead
Stay behind seclusion
Unable to read
Purdah and veil
The order of the day
Imposed by religion
That is what men say
Freedom! Oh Freedom!
We suffocate in the dark
Oppressed by men
But we did make our mark
Women magistrates and judges
If only we could be
But we have done better
Just look round and see
Don’t you oppress us
We demand our right
In Rokeya’s Ladyland
Men couldn’t rule with might
You dreamt of cohesion
Among women of all creed
Together we will work
To create the world we need
~
The poem was written on the eve of International Women’s Day, 2007
Related post: Thoughts on Begum Rokeya
December 11th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
I would like to post this as well on behalf of Shaheen:
Just to remind ourselves that today is the 9th of December. The birth and death anniversary of Rokeya Sakhawat Hossein. This year is particularly significant as it marks the 75th anniversary of her death. Women across the globe should remember Rokeya and pay their tributes to this extraordinary person who dedicated her life for the cause of women. A social reformer and campaigner, she raised awareness, challenged gender discrimination and oppression, worked for women’s education and empowerment and paved the way for a better society. Above everything she was a great human being.
Let us pass her messages to the world. We are all greatly indebted to her.
December 15th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Many thanks for publishing my poem and thoughts on Rokeya on her birth/death anniversary this year. I will be delighted if the poem acts as a catalyst and makes even a few people think about Rokeya. We should not forget the women who struggled and fought for our rights and equality. I would ask all of you to read her life story and tell others about what she has done for us.