High Hopes

The Homeland We Lost

Since 2012, our villages in Arakan have been burned, attacked, and destroyed. The Arakan Army and the Myanmar military, working together, forced Rohingya families to flee their homes.

We had nothing to defend ourselves with only fear, loss, and desperation.

For years, we survived on aid from WFP food, oil, seeds just enough to keep hope alive. But after 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, even that lifeline ended. Our villages were erased, our identities stripped away, and our lives shattered.

In 2022, earthquakes destroyed what little remained in the camps and surrounding villages.

Families had no choice but to leave everything behind and seek refuge in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand because staying meant certain death from hunger and thirst.
We lost our homes.

We lost our land. We lost our safety. But the pain, the memories, and the struggle remain in our hearts forever.

A Message for Peace in Arakan and Sittwe

To our brothers and sisters in Arakan - Rohingya, Rakhine, and all who call Sittwe home,

We stand at a crossroads in our beloved land. The scars of conflict burned villages, empty markets, and families torn apart cry out for healing.

In Sittwe, where over 100,000 of us live in camps, where prices soar and hope feels scarce, we see the pain of division. Yet, we also see the strength of our shared spirit.

From the Rohingya singing the Arakan anthem to Rakhine neighbors sharing food in times of need, we know unity is possible.
Peace is not just silence from guns; it is justice, dignity, and a future where every child in Sittwe can dream without fear.

The junta's control and the Arakan Army's fight must not define us. Instead, let us choose dialogue over destruction.

Let us, as civilians, reach across divides Rohingya to Rakhine, Muslim to Buddhist to rebuild trust. Small acts, like sharing stories or aid, can light the path forward.

We call on all sides junta, AA, and global powers like India, Bangladesh, and the UN to listen. Stop the blockades starving our people. Open safe paths for aid. Include our voices in peace talks, as we, the heart of Arakan, know what Sittwe needs: schools, not soldiers; markets, not mines; citizenship and respect for all.

To the world, hear us: Arakan's pain is humanity's pain. Support our call for justice, as raised at the UN in September 2025, and push for accountability through courts like the ICC. To our youth, hold fast to hope your courage in camps and villages is our future.

Together, let us plant peace in Sittwe’s soil. Let us honor our ancestors by building a home where no one is left behind. Join hands, share this vision, and let peace rise in Arakan.

With hope and solidarity,
The People of Sittwe

There is no other way left to regain our country. Why are people’s eyes only on Palestine? Arakan has already become Mog — the name and identity of the Rohingya will soon be erased. 😞

Palestine has a ceasefire now, but when will there be a ceasefire in Arakan? People there are also dying of hunger.

The Military and the Arakan Army (AA) are taking civilians from their homes and forcing them into the war.

There is no aid or medical care. There’s no electricity and no internet either.

What is really happening in Arakan?

🌟 1. Takbir (Most Important)

Recite this frequently during the days of Eid, especially after prayers:

اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، لا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illa Allah, wa Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-hamd
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is no god but Allah. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest and all praise is for Allah.

⸻

🐑 2. Dua Before Qurbani (Sacrifice)

If you are offering a sacrifice:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا مِنْكَ وَلَكَ
Bismillah, Allahu Akbar, Allahumma hadha minka wa laka
In the name of Allah, Allah is the Greatest. O Allah, this is from You and for You.

⸻

🤲 3. General Dua for the Day of Eid

اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
Allahumma taqabbal minna innaka Antas-Sami’ul-‘Aleem
O Allah, accept from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

You can also say:

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ هَذَا الْعِيدَ عِيدَ خَيْرٍ وَبَرَكَةٍ وَسَلَامٍ
O Allah, make this Eid a day of goodness, blessings, and peace.

⸻

💬 4. Eid Greeting (Dua to Each Other)

تَقَبَّلَ اللَّهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكُمْ
Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum
May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you.

Sometimes silence speaks more than words,
What lips can’t express, the eyes reveal in seconds.

Every bond in life has its own shade,
Some feel close even from afar,
And some feel distant even when they’re near.

In the journey of life,

something is always left behind,
When money comes, love often hides.

When we hold on to relationships, our pockets run dry,

And when we have both, our health starts to slide.

If somehow we manage to have all three,
Time slips away silently, like a breeze…

After the Isya prayer during the month of Ramadan, engaging in zikir (remembrance of Allah) is highly recommended. You can include the following zikir and supplications:

1. Basic Zikir:

SubhanAllah (سبحان الله) – 33 times

Alhamdulillah (الحمد لله) – 33 times

Allahu Akbar (الله أكبر) – 34 times

2. Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness):

Astaghfirullah (أستغفر الله) – As many times as possible

3. Kalimah Tayyibah:

La ilaha illallah (لا إله إلا الله) – As much as you can

4. Salawat (Sending Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ):

Allahumma salli 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wa sallim

5. Special Duas for Ramadan:

"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni"
(O Allah, You are Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me)

6. Reading Quran:

Recite as much Quran as you can, as it is highly rewarding during Ramadan.

7. Other Recommended Zikir:

La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله)

SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi, SubhanAllahil Azeem

On Friday (Jumaat), reciting zikir and making dua are highly recommended.

Here are some beneficial zikir and supplications to recite:

1. Istighfar (Seeking Forgiveness):

أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّٰهَ وَأَتُوْبُ إِلَيْهِ
Astaghfirullah wa atubu ilaih
"I seek forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him."

2. Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ:

اللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala Aali Muhammad
"O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad."

3. Surah Al-Kahf (Recommended on Friday):

The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday will have light between this Friday and the next." (Sahih Muslim)

4. Best Zikir to Recite on Friday:

SubhanAllah wa bihamdihi, SubhanAllahil Azim

La ilaha illallah, Wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul mulku walahul hamdu wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer

Hasbiyallahu la ilaha illa Huwa, ‘alayhi tawakkaltu, wa Huwa Rabbul ‘arshil ‘azeem

5. Dua for Jummah:

اللّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي
Allahumma aj’alni min ahlil Jannah, waghfir li dhunubi
"O Allah, make me among the people of Jannah and forgive my sins."

I am writing to convey my deep concern and sorrow regarding the recent and ongoing violence in Maungdaw. On August 14, 2024, at 7:20 PM, the Arakan Army (AA) set fire to the town of Maungdaw, where thousands of Rohingya people lived. This brutal attack has led to immense devastation and loss of life.

The Rohingya people, who have already faced unimaginable suffering, are now experiencing even more dire conditions. Many have died due to the lack of basic necessities like food and water, and those who survived are left in a situation of extreme desperation. The Arakan Army’s actions have caused significant harm, killing innocent civilians without the world knowing or intervening.

This situation cannot be ignored. I urge you to take immediate and decisive action to address this crisis. The international community must be made aware of these atrocities, and steps must be taken to protect those who remain and provide them with the essential aid they so desperately need.

The ongoing violence against the Rohingya people is a grave injustice. I hope that through your efforts and influence, we can bring attention to this humanitarian disaster and work towards a peaceful and just resolution for the people of Maungdaw and beyond.

The people of Maungdaw and Buthidaung deserve to live in peace and security, free from the terror that has plagued our region for too long. I hope that your support can help to alleviate their suffering and restore hope for a peaceful future.

Most importantly, I implore you to do everything in your power to stop this war. The ongoing violence against the Rohingya people and others in the region is a grave injustice. The world must come together to bring an end to this conflict and work towards a peaceful and just resolution for the people of Maungdaw and beyond.

Money may bring comfort, but it is faith and spirituality that truly nourish the soul.

In a world where wealth can buy many things, respect and the time we save for worship guide us towards our true destination.

Remember, a good life is empty without devotion to the Lord. 🕌


Khairul Aiman