'We Are Human': A Bittersweet Experience Of Refugees In Malaysia

By Firdaus Azil KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- "I don’t mean to be political...neither am trying to provoke the current system", says up-and-coming, actor/director Razif Hashim when asked on his latest theatre production, 'We Are Human', a gripping story on the life of refugees in Malaysia. There are strong reasons why the writer felt the narrative of the theatre was more than just normal story-telling, and the need for him to respond to such questions. During a casual interview recently, Razif, 33, explained the plots of 'We Are Human' premised on true stories experienced by the actors who are accorded United Nations High Commisioner for Refugees (UNHCR) status. All the actors are from Middle-east countries, seeking temporary shelter and love in Malaysia. The play basically relates heart-breaking, real-life experiences endured by three women and their children - two boys and a girl - expressing frustration which details how their dreams of better life conditions in this country, are shattered. During the rehearsal, the writer realised Razif's screenplay was brilliantly-curated to make the audience feel the full impact of what it means for refugees to see their aspirations and dreams dampened in a host country. "As much as it is meant to be thought-provoking, the idea behind all this is merely to tell the audience that, 'Hey, this is about humanity is all about...these refugees are just plain unlucky because their very own countries are being torn apart by wars and other conflicts,” added Nadzirah Hashim, 31, Razif's sister, during the interview. The theatre production is set to take place during the two-day Food and Arts of the Middle East Festival (FAME) tomorrow and Sunday, at the BlackBox, Publika in Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur. The festival - wholly organised by a total of 34 families comprising refugees - is brought by Razif’s production house, Arara Entertainment, in collaborations with the Wavemakers - a branding and digital world workshop belonging to Nadzirah, and her two best friends, Rachel Lai and Sasha Yusof. According to Razif and Nadzirah, FAME is fully supported by UNHCR, where it is set to be a showcase of food, art and cultural performances by the refugees. Explaining further on the play, Razif said basically, the refugees had to go through several stages before they could finally be resettled. The stages, said the young director, were namely, preflight, on-the-flight, transiting and seeking shelter and safety before finally resettling. "It’s pretty sad to see that while transiting here, the refugees are in 'limbo'. That kind of uncertainty lies because they need to find a job here to earn a living - obviously, they need to pay for rent, food, temporary education for their children, etc. The reality, however, doesn’t seem that way," said Nadzirah, with Razif nodding in approval. She said due to the status of UNHCR card holders, the refugees could not be legally employed in Malaysia. Then again, when they manage to get one - albeit illegally - they are detained by the authorities and questioned. To this, Rafiz briefly re-emphasised that it was nowhere near his intention to provoke the system, except by telling the truth on the life of a refugee in the country. "Hopefully, 'We are Human' offers Malaysians a better understanding of the suffering of these refugees. "Nadzirah and I hope the audience understands why refugees suffer despite the assurances offered to them in the first place. And maybe from that point, something will change for the better," he said. For more information on 'We Are Human', visit www.facebook.com/FAMEfestivalkl, or call 012-302 3253 (Norlin) / 013-380 5020 (Farah). Admission is RM99 per person. -- BERNAMA