In this episode, we speak to Uyghur activist, singer, and translator Rahima Mahmut. Rahima describes the history of persecution against the Uyghur people in China and the genocide happening to them today. She also talks about the rich Uyghur culture, traditions, and music and how singing has acted as a relief amongst her round-the-clock campaigning for Uyghur rights in the UK.

Thank you to Rahima for sharing her story, work, and music. Featured songs (in order of appearance): Leven Yarla, Yighla Shamal, My Dear Son When Will You Return.

Rahima is an Uyghur singer, human rights activist, and award-winning translator of the poignant prison memoir The Land Drenched in Tears by Soyungul Chanisheff. She translated the testimonies of survivors during the Uyghur Tribunal, and is a prominent voice for Uyghurs in the UK. In 2018, Rahima co-founded the SOAS Silk Road Collective, who she is currently the vocalist for. She has performed at music venues and festivals within the UK and worldwide, becoming well-known in Central Asian musical circles.

Rahima’s work includes producing music for award-winning Al Jazeera documentary ‘Living in the Unknown,’ working as a consultant and translator for the Bafta-winning ITV documentary ‘Undercover: Inside China’s Digital Gulag,’ Channel 4 documentary ‘China: Search for the Missing’ and translator for BBC documentary ‘China: A New World Order.’ She is currently UK Director of the World Uyghur Congress, Executive Director of Stop Uyghur Genocide, and Advisor to the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.

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