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Displaced & Forgotten: Memoirs of Refugees
Displaced.
Forgotten.
Having nowhere to go. A heart-breaking tales of persecution, forced migration, separation and exploitation.
Anecdotes of courage, resilience, faith and hope.
Behind all the complex academic discussions and sensational news in the media about wars and displacement, refugees are after all humans.
Displaced and Forgotten: Memoirs of Refugees is hoped to bridge the gap between the majority population and this vulnerable group which is often misunderstood and misrepresented.
Because the world needs to know about the refugees’ stories, their experiences and their struggles in search of a place called home.
Forgotten.
Having nowhere to go. A heart-breaking tales of persecution, forced migration, separation and exploitation.
Anecdotes of courage, resilience, faith and hope.
Behind all the complex academic discussions and sensational news in the media about wars and displacement, refugees are after all humans.
Displaced and Forgotten: Memoirs of Refugees is hoped to bridge the gap between the majority population and this vulnerable group which is often misunderstood and misrepresented.
Because the world needs to know about the refugees’ stories, their experiences and their struggles in search of a place called home.
176 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2017
10 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 26, 2023
Nov 2023: Displaced and Forgotten
Published in 2017, this book tells the stories of refugees, from Myanmar, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Kashmir and Afghanistan. They were forced to leave their country and eventually arrived in Malaysia.
Their stories are gripping, it makes you question more; why and how people can be so evil and inhumane. Their experience here was not entirely pleasant. They missed their homeland so badly, which is understandable.
The conclusion by Md Mahmudul Hasan shed more light on the refugee issue. He questions the role of media (usage of terms, how they cover the story, misinformation etc). He also highlights the Western neo-colonial powers, hypocrisy and feminism's failure to demonstrate equal concern.
I need to read better on this topic. How countries like Malaysia are dealing with this issue. I've come across not-so-nice stories on refugees recently. Perhaps one needs to delve more to understand the big picture such as the role of each stakeholder. Perhaps being marginalized and being denied education, employment and affordable healthcare will just force you to survive in any opportunity.
One take-away lesson, a very important one: be grateful to be born in a peaceful country, and never take for granted the stability and peace in our country.
I'd like to end here with a quote from this book:
'Your enemy is not the refugee. Your enemy is the one who made him a refugee." -Tariq Ramadan.
Published in 2017, this book tells the stories of refugees, from Myanmar, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Kashmir and Afghanistan. They were forced to leave their country and eventually arrived in Malaysia.
Their stories are gripping, it makes you question more; why and how people can be so evil and inhumane. Their experience here was not entirely pleasant. They missed their homeland so badly, which is understandable.
The conclusion by Md Mahmudul Hasan shed more light on the refugee issue. He questions the role of media (usage of terms, how they cover the story, misinformation etc). He also highlights the Western neo-colonial powers, hypocrisy and feminism's failure to demonstrate equal concern.
I need to read better on this topic. How countries like Malaysia are dealing with this issue. I've come across not-so-nice stories on refugees recently. Perhaps one needs to delve more to understand the big picture such as the role of each stakeholder. Perhaps being marginalized and being denied education, employment and affordable healthcare will just force you to survive in any opportunity.
One take-away lesson, a very important one: be grateful to be born in a peaceful country, and never take for granted the stability and peace in our country.
I'd like to end here with a quote from this book:
'Your enemy is not the refugee. Your enemy is the one who made him a refugee." -Tariq Ramadan.
July 30, 2019
This book changed me in a way that it teaches me to treat refugees better. It is not their fault for flooding our land. It is wrong to generalize all refugees are bad because one of them committed crime in Malaysia such as murder and rape. It is sad to read a story of 14-year-old refugee who supposed to stay in school had to work for RM30 per day to help his family. He was detained by local police officer, physically abused in lock-up and slapped by a female police officer for working illegally. But, what choice did he have? He has to work to help his parents to pay the rental house in KL.
Your enemy is not the refugee. Your enemy is the one who made him a refugee." - Tariq Ramadan
February 4, 2019
This year I add a new category in my favourite genre of memoirs- "books on refugees" as my personal curriculum. We are in an era of refugee crisis and whilst I'm not directly involved with refugees, I feel I need to know more about them.
So I was really happy when I found this memoir on refugees in Malaysia. This book taught me a new word- REFUGEEHOOD.
I finished this book in 24 hours (cepat la tu considering other things 😂) and it is my 4th book this year.
Reading this book made me feel- ALL MY PROBLEMS AND WORRIES ARE NEGLIGIBLE. Yes.
When you have safety, food and a place you call home, then all others are extras. Families, education, transport, money etc etc. All are extras. So truly truly Alhamdulillah.
Here are some excerpts:
"Born and raised in Arakan into a Rohingya family was my biggest crime."
"Boat journey to Malaysia- 1 month with no view of land at all. Unbearable hunger, thirst and heat became daily companion, and at one point no longer bother me when death seemed so near."
"Refugeehood has affected me immensely; it taught me not only to be resilient and patient, but to have faith in the unseen wisdom of God when things go wrong and life seems to be off track and falling into pieces."
"At times I thought of those Syrians left behind- who had to live in killing fields and those who had to take up weapons and fight back. Why am I here in Malaysia? What am I doing here? Why am I not in Syria helping the war victims? These were some of the questions I would never be able to answer. Or maybe I didn't have to. Perhaps, I was destined to flee, only to help rebuild my country in a different way. Or my refugeehood was meant to refine my soul, mould my character, burn my ego and teach me tough lessons so that I could create a great momentum for my country one day. A momentum for peace and freedom."
My heart goes out to all of them. Let's change how we view them. They are not here to steal our wealth or opportunities, or rob our peace away. Remember, 2 great prophets, Moses (as) and Muhammad (saw) were refugees too.
So I was really happy when I found this memoir on refugees in Malaysia. This book taught me a new word- REFUGEEHOOD.
I finished this book in 24 hours (cepat la tu considering other things 😂) and it is my 4th book this year.
Reading this book made me feel- ALL MY PROBLEMS AND WORRIES ARE NEGLIGIBLE. Yes.
When you have safety, food and a place you call home, then all others are extras. Families, education, transport, money etc etc. All are extras. So truly truly Alhamdulillah.
Here are some excerpts:
"Born and raised in Arakan into a Rohingya family was my biggest crime."
"Boat journey to Malaysia- 1 month with no view of land at all. Unbearable hunger, thirst and heat became daily companion, and at one point no longer bother me when death seemed so near."
"Refugeehood has affected me immensely; it taught me not only to be resilient and patient, but to have faith in the unseen wisdom of God when things go wrong and life seems to be off track and falling into pieces."
"At times I thought of those Syrians left behind- who had to live in killing fields and those who had to take up weapons and fight back. Why am I here in Malaysia? What am I doing here? Why am I not in Syria helping the war victims? These were some of the questions I would never be able to answer. Or maybe I didn't have to. Perhaps, I was destined to flee, only to help rebuild my country in a different way. Or my refugeehood was meant to refine my soul, mould my character, burn my ego and teach me tough lessons so that I could create a great momentum for my country one day. A momentum for peace and freedom."
My heart goes out to all of them. Let's change how we view them. They are not here to steal our wealth or opportunities, or rob our peace away. Remember, 2 great prophets, Moses (as) and Muhammad (saw) were refugees too.
April 9, 2020
This book teach me something. To be grateful of whatever you received and had. Sometimes you forgot a little things (which is not a little things though) like living in a peaceful countries, having shelters to stay, foods to eat and the best thing is protection from your family. Your family, worth more than anything.
Tapi kan, bila difikir balik, nikmat yang paling besar antara semua nikmat tersebut adalah masih bernafas dan beriman. Tanpa semua tu, pelarian semua takkan dapat bertahan walaupun sehari.. Allahu. Iman mereka ternyata kuat. Walaupun turut dilayan buruk oleh segelintir rakyat Malaysia...
Tapi kan, bila difikir balik, nikmat yang paling besar antara semua nikmat tersebut adalah masih bernafas dan beriman. Tanpa semua tu, pelarian semua takkan dapat bertahan walaupun sehari.. Allahu. Iman mereka ternyata kuat. Walaupun turut dilayan buruk oleh segelintir rakyat Malaysia...
October 21, 2025
••Raw thoughts••
sebelum ni biasa dengar displaced Palestinians tapi those aren’t ao many kat Malaysia, Rohingyans, but not their stories,
collection of stories yang biking berang dan sedih
since kita grow up having stigma to foreigners,
Editors collect voices from Somali, rohingyan, syrian, afghan refugees voices— supaya yang membaca dengar tanpa perlu feedback seh. Tho quite uncomfortable, then I realised it’s their platform not mine to take over. I in the first place yg curious how they decided to bersusah payah hidup di negara orang …. Now i know cuz staying cost them life…
It’s daunting to have your people run after your life kot!!
sebelum ni biasa dengar displaced Palestinians tapi those aren’t ao many kat Malaysia, Rohingyans, but not their stories,
collection of stories yang biking berang dan sedih
since kita grow up having stigma to foreigners,
Editors collect voices from Somali, rohingyan, syrian, afghan refugees voices— supaya yang membaca dengar tanpa perlu feedback seh. Tho quite uncomfortable, then I realised it’s their platform not mine to take over. I in the first place yg curious how they decided to bersusah payah hidup di negara orang …. Now i know cuz staying cost them life…
It’s daunting to have your people run after your life kot!!
March 11, 2021
I never thought to read this kind of book.
As one of my book resolution, to read different genre, this book really helps me to opened up to this kind of stories.
The writing was light and easy, suitable for working person who needs easy reading during lunch time, yet the stories was told in a way that your heart will shrink into sadness and empathy. This book is an eye opener on the stories on the refuges on how they actually go thru their life. From reading this book, i personally felt the hardship. The storytelling of this book is excellent. Still a relevant read in 2020.
As one of my book resolution, to read different genre, this book really helps me to opened up to this kind of stories.
The writing was light and easy, suitable for working person who needs easy reading during lunch time, yet the stories was told in a way that your heart will shrink into sadness and empathy. This book is an eye opener on the stories on the refuges on how they actually go thru their life. From reading this book, i personally felt the hardship. The storytelling of this book is excellent. Still a relevant read in 2020.
February 22, 2020
This book is now one of my favourite memoirs. This book is beatifully written and edited. An eye opening book that teaches us to be grateful. We are privileged more than we know. Put aside our pride and remove any prejudices towards the refugees. No one wish to be the victims of wars, they leave their country because its their only hope of surviving. Congratulations to everyone involved in publishing this book. Amazing.
October 8, 2021
DISPLACED & FORGOTTEN
This book potrayed the hardness of refugees migrated to Malaysia. It opened my eyes to picture on how difficult it is for some people to live their life in peace. But reading this book made me wanna argue with the author since there are some points from the author that i disagreed.
I would rate it 7/10. 7 for giving me the knowledge about refugees and the other 3 point for my disagrees with the author’s point lol
This book potrayed the hardness of refugees migrated to Malaysia. It opened my eyes to picture on how difficult it is for some people to live their life in peace. But reading this book made me wanna argue with the author since there are some points from the author that i disagreed.
I would rate it 7/10. 7 for giving me the knowledge about refugees and the other 3 point for my disagrees with the author’s point lol
October 29, 2017
I love the sentences and words which have been edited by the author. All the stories are beneficial and valuable for cultivating ourselves to be a grateful person. Plus, the stories encourage me compassion and love for each other.
December 29, 2018
A story combination of a different refugee around the world. Each story is an eye opener for us who lives in this country without any circumstances. They all need our help as well as attention. Thank you for this book.
August 2, 2019
Its a collection of memoirs by different individual from different countries; kashmir, palestine and many more whom once are refugees and seek for asylum in Malaysia. Heart-wrenching reads. Made me cried.
November 10, 2017
A good exposure on refugee's world.
October 15, 2018
heart-breaking tales...
April 27, 2023
wow. i read a biography book, finally !
December 11, 2021
This book is definitely heart wrenching yet compelling in opening our eyes to the plight of refugees in war torn countries. Refugeehood is a specialized issue in itself as a result of violence, aggression and unlivable conditions in one's homeland. And modern and developed host countries so far never seem to be conscious enough to put attention to provide hospitality or a helping hand to these fellow human beings.
I hope that world leaders read this book and feel the responsibility to embrace their inner conscience to be kind and empathic towards those crossing into their borders to seek nothing more but their rights to live happily like others.
I hope that world leaders read this book and feel the responsibility to embrace their inner conscience to be kind and empathic towards those crossing into their borders to seek nothing more but their rights to live happily like others.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews