Let The Sound of the Poem Guide You with Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan

Suhaiymah talks about how one poem changed the course of her life and the horrible reason she was compelled to write it and how the richness of the Quran made poetry something to be connected with.

This Is Not a Humanising Poem” challenges the idea that marginalised people, especially Muslim women, must constantly prove their humanity to a wider audience. The poem confronts stereotypes about Muslims, particularly the expectation to be peaceful, relatable, or apologetic. It criticises how mainstream narratives often demand that Muslim people distance themselves from violence, explain their existence, or highlight their contributions just to be seen as worthy of respect. Instead, Suhaiymah asserts her right to exist without having to earn empathy or perform acceptability. She refuses to participate in a system that only values her if she conforms to narrow definitions of “good” or “safe.” The below activity prompts you to think of how you can bring words on a page to life, just like Suhaiymah did.

Activity

Poetry is meant to be heard as well as read.
When spoken aloud, a poem comes to life—its rhythm, emotion, and meaning can shift in powerful ways.

Choose a poem that speaks to you and read it out loud, just to yourself.
How does hearing the words change your understanding of the poem?
Does it feel more emotional, more powerful, or more personal?

If you feel comfortable, try reading it aloud to someone else.
What changes when someone else is listening?
Does the poem’s message or mood feel different when shared?

Let the sound of the poem guide you—and notice what it reveals.