Rohingya artist Mohammed Raihan depicts the forced flight from Myanmar to Bangladesh, recalling the loss of homes, loved ones and belongings, and the fear and uncertainty of the journey | Photo: © Ayub Khan Dkl 2026
In an article for The Rohingyatographer, Maung Emdadul Hasan showcases the artwork and stories that Rohingya people have shared and platformed in order to showcase the identity and history of Rohingya people.
For decades, much of the world’s understanding of the Rohingya has been shaped by stories told by people outside the community. Photographs, news reports, documentaries and research have drawn attention to violence, displacement and life in the refugee camps. These accounts have played an important role in documenting persecution and bringing international attention to the situation. At the same time, Rohingya people have often remained the subjects of stories rather than the people producing and shaping them.
The scale of the population makes the question of representation particularly significant. According to the Government of Bangladesh–UNHCR Population Dashboard for Cox’s Bazar,1,184,864 Rohingya refugees were recorded in the camps in February 2026, with women and children accounting for approximately 78% of the population.
Mohammed Raihan (6K), a Rohingya artist and the Managing Director of the Rohingya Art Club (7K), offers one example of this emerging practice. Through murals, live drawing, painting, photography and short documentary videos, he documents not only hardship but also creativity, culture, identity and everyday community life. He describes beginning to use art and storytelling in childhood to express his community’s experiences and preserve Rohingya history and culture.
