In January of this year we had a poetry competition for young people. The idea of the competition was that the kids would write a poem, expressing the thoughts and feelings of the ‘Silent Voices’ in the world – those other young people who are living in the horror of poverty, war, oppression…..

The response was marvelous and twenty of the best poems were collected and compiled to be printed in book form. This book, as well as the upcoming one, will be published by major sponsors of Indonesian Children’s Relief and the proceeds from the book sales go to this charity. Here are two of the poems that were submitted and that will be in the book ‘Silent Voices.

When I woke up I felt so scared

Bombs all around me, and I just stared

I shouted Mummy! And I ran to the stairs

But no sound came from over there,

I ran to the back and I shouted again,

No sound came and I grieved with pain.

What shall I do? Where shall I go?

I can’t remember ever feeling so low

Here I am all alone frightened down to my very bone

Oh Allah! This has made it clear,

No matter what – You are always near

This has taken away my fear,

Because my final destiny is not here,

For Your sake I will take all aboard

Until I meet you, Almighty Lord.

You can go out to see the sun

Whilst I’m locked up not having fun

It is so hard even in my own home

Surrounded by bombs – I feel all alone

No Adhan to call me to prayer

Only my dark room to sit and stare

But I will not be scared, I will have no fear

For Allah is ever near

And all I would like to see

Is a day when all the Muslim children are free

When a tear falls from my eye

I just think of Allah and pray

La ilaha illa Allah

He will get me out of here one day

I’m sure Allah will make me free

I’ll raise my hands and wait and see

Allah is the greatest of all

Upon our knees we all fall

Because of the great success of this first venture we are going to have another competition for people between the ages of 13 – 25 years. The same things goes, write a poem expressing the thoughts and feelings of the young people in the world who live in dire circumstances. There are many young people suffering in many countries and in many ways and they have no voice. So here is a chance for YOU to be their voice.

Here are the rules of the competition:

Twenty of the best poems will appear in the book ‘Lost Voices’.

Let your imagination run wild and get scribbling!