Uyghur PEN Board Members
Uyghur PEN Centre
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Condolence Statement
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Abdureshid Haji Kerimi, one of the founding members of the PEN International Uyghur Centre and a former long-serving member of its Board of Directors. A distinguished writer, a lifelong advocate for the freedom of the Uyghur people, and a devoted patriot, he passed away on Saturday, 24 January 2026, at 20:20, in Stockholm, Sweden, at the age of 83. The memory of our esteemed companion- his tireless dedication to the Uyghur cause, his unwavering moral integrity, and his noble character, will remain forever alive in our hearts. We remember our respected teacher with profound sorrow and deep respect. On this sad occasion, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives, and loved ones, and wish them patience, strength, and solace during this time of grief. With respect, Aziz Isa ElkunPresident of PEN Uyghur Centre24 January 2026
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Памяти Абдуришида Хаджи Керими: Негасимое пламя уйгурской души
24 января 2026 года в Стокгольме на 84-м году жизни завершился земной путь человека большой души и несгибаемой воли. Ушел из жизни Абдуришид Хаджи Керими — выдающийся интеллектуал, общественный деятель, один из основателей международного уйгурского PEN-центра и настоящий сын уйгурского народа, посвятивший каждый вздох служению своей культуре.Родившись 18 августа 1942 года в древнем Кашгаре, в самом сердце квартала Пахта Базар, юный Абдуришид впитал в себя любовь к родному слову и традициям своих предков — Керима Давута и Хорнисы Кенжи. С 2003 года, оказавшись в Швеции, он явил миру пример того, как в изгнании можно сохранять высочайшее достоинство, оставаясь духовной опорой для своего народа.Будучи одним из основателей и старейшим членом Уйгурского PEN-центра, он был постоянно на связи с каждым его руководителем в разные годы. Сам он много лет занимал должность Председателя исполкома, потом Председателя ревизионной комиссии. Он был не просто одним из членов, а душой этой организации. Его знали как человека, безгранично преданного идеалам PEN-центра, для которого защита свободы слова и сохранение уйгурского языка были не просто работой, а священным долгом.Абдуришид Хаджи Керими пользовался глубочайшим уважением всех членов PEN-центра; его мудрость, доброта и готовность поддержать коллег по перу сделали его живой легендой уйгурского литературного сообщества.Его уход — невосполнимая утрата, но Абдуришид Хаджи Керими оставил после себя нечто большее, чем просто книги или архивы. Он оставил эталон моральной честности и тихой, но неодолимой силы. Его верность истине и человеческому достоинству остаются ориентиром для будущих поколений.Подобно многим достойным сынам уйгурского народа, он завершил земной путь в изгнании, вдали от родного края. Так пожелал Аллах, что земля Швеции стала ему вторым домом. Сердце сына священной земли Восточного Туркестана, бившееся в унисон с болью своего многострадального народа, нашло вечный покой вдали от солнечной Родины. Наши братья и сестры в Европе с глубокой скорбью совершили над ним джаназа-намаз, вверяя его душу милости Всевышнего и провожая в […]
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Bearing Witness to Imprisoned Souls
Aziz Isa Elkun’s Reflections On the Publication of the Uyghur Poetry AnthologyImprisoned Souls: Poems of Uyghur Prisoners in China Book Launch Speech by Aziz Isa Elkun16 December 2025, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, London Throughout history, humanity has witnessed profound suffering from oppressive rulers and inhumane wars. The most powerful poetry, like other forms of artistic expression, often emerges from those who have endured unimaginable hardship: exploitation, poverty, invasion or genocide. As a reflection of the Uyghurs’ social and political struggles, their poetry has consistently expressed their desire to live freely in their homeland. Themes of love, survival, and the resolute determination for a better future have always been central to their work. Since completing my first major translation project, the anthology Uyghur Poems, published by the UK’s Everyman’s Library in October 2023, I have become deeply engaged in exploring Uyghur poetry further. My focus has increasingly shifted to the persecuted Uyghur poets. As I learned more about the ongoing persecution and extrajudicial punishments imposed on Uyghur intellectuals, particularly the mass detention, arrest, and disappearance of Uyghur poets, I became increasingly restless. The weight of these atrocities pressed upon me, and I felt a deep, unwavering need to bring their poetic voices to the wider world. The simple act of writing poems had led to their persecution, and I knew that their precious works must not be lost to silence. It became my mission to translate these poems and preserve the voices of those who are no longer able to speak. The knowledge that many of my poet friends are languishing in Chinese prisons has haunted me daily. Despite the challenges of obtaining reliable information about the detained and imprisoned Uyghur poets, I began my investigation in 2017. I began the painstaking task of collecting their poems from published books, magazines and online sources, […]
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Almaty Hosts Presentation of the Novel “Eternal Voice”
On July 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM, a book presentation for the novel Eternal Voice by Uyghur writer Talat Baki Mollahaji Oghli was held at the “Korgan” Café in Almaty. The event was organized by the Kazakhstan branch of the International Uyghur PEN Center (Uyghur PEN), in collaboration with the Uyghur PEN Center and the “Ghulja Yoli” Meshrep community in Almaty. The author dedicated the book to the memory of his friends, comrades, and relatives who gave their lives in the struggle for freedom and independence. The novel recounts the brutal political movements that took place in the Uyghur homeland during the 1950s and 1960s, under slogans such as “Thought Reform,” “Steel and Iron Smelting,” and the “Great Leap Forward of China.” Through the life of its protagonist, Ablet, the work captures the suffering, pain, and grave socio-political upheavals endured by the Uyghur people, brought about by the countless persecutions, massacres, and atrocities committed by the communist colonial authorities. The ceremony was moderated by young poet Abduljan Aznabaqiev. Alisher Helilov, Secretary-General of the International Uyghur PEN Center and Director of the “MIR” Publishing House, addressed the audience, outlining the book’s publishing process. Vil’yam Molotov, board member of the Uyghur PEN Center and leader of the “Ghulja Yoli” Meshrep, spoke about the author’s biography and the publication of the novel in Kazakhstan. The book’s editor, Rexmetzhan Ghojemberdiev, emphasized the work’s contemporary relevance. Prominent intellectuals, including Jemshit Rozaxunov, Awut Mesimov, Hakimjan Guliev, Aznat Talipov, Yoldash Molotov, and Rexmetjan Yüsüpov, took part in the event and expressed their deep appreciation for the work. The head of the Uyghur PEN Center’s board, renowned artist Dr. Hakimjan Guliev, together with acclaimed writer Hemit Hemraev, warmly congratulated the author and presented him with a traditional Uyghur robe and doppa as a keepsake. In his closing remarks, the author […]
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Uyghur PEN Centre’s New Leadership Team
On April 16, 2025, at the Mir Publishing House office in Almaty, Kazakhstan, members of the Uyghur PEN has elected their new leadership team. The newly elected Executive Committee of the International Uyghur Centre is as follows: Aziz Isa ElkunPresident of Uyghur PEN CentreEmail: penuyghur@gmail.com Aziz Isa Elkun is a poet, author and academic. He was born in Shayar County in Uyghuristan (East Turkistan), and graduated from Urumchi University. He has been living in London since 2001, where he studied at Birkbeck University. He has published many poems, stories, and research articles in both Uyghur and and English. Since 2013, he has participated in various research projects on Uyghur culture and music as a researcher at SOAS University of London, including the ‘Sounding Islam China‘ project in 2013 and the ‘Uyghur Meshrep in Kazakhstan’ project in 2018. He is an active member of the exiled Uyghur community and the founder of the Uyghur music group London Uyghur Ensemble, established in 2006. In early 2019, he produced a short documentary film, “An Unanswered Telephone Call”, depicting the ongoing sufferings of his family after China pursued a total blockade of international telephone calls between Uyghurs at home and abroad since 2017. He has co-authored English language articles with Rachel Harris, in Inner Asia and Central Asian Survey (‘Invitation to a Mourning Ceremony’: Perspectives on the Uyghur Internet and ‘Islam by Smartphone: the changing sounds of Uyghur religiosity’) and ‘Islam by smartphone: reading the Uyghur Islamic revival on WeChat’, Central Asian Survey 38(1), 2019, 61-80; co-authored a research report with Rachel Harris published by Uyghur Human Rights Project February 2023 (The Complicity of Heritage: Cultural Heritage and Genocide in the Uyghur Region); a book chapter published by The Routledge in 2022, “The Routledge Companion to Music and Human Rights” (‘Music, Terror, and Civilizing Projects in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region’). One of his major editing and poetry translation works […]
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Uyghur PEN Center’s Election Held in Almaty
The Uyghur PEN Center held its official election on April 16, 2025, at the Mir Publishing House office in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In addition to local members attending in person, participants from around the world joined the event online. A total of 24 members took part in the meeting. The session was chaired by Alisher Khalilov, head of the Executive Committee of the Uyghur PEN Center. Former president and artist Kaiser Ozhun opened the event with a report detailing the founding history of the Uyghur PEN Center and highlighting the accomplishments achieved during his tenure. Following this, Hamid Hamrayev, Secretary General of the Center and a respected writer, presented an overview of the work carried out during his term, as well as the Centre’s future plans and strategic vision. Distinguished Uyghur poet Abdughopur Qutluqov then proposed re-electing Kaiser Ozhun as president. However, Ozhun respectfully declined, citing the organization’s bylaws, which prohibit a third presidential term. The Board of the Uyghur PEN nominated Aziz Isa Elkun for the presidency. Elkun is a poet, writer, and academic based in the UK, and a former Secretary General of the Uyghur PEN Center. Elkun, who had travelled to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and was present at the Almaty meeting, accepted his nomination. In his address, he expressed gratitude for the Board’s trust and pledged to work tirelessly to promote Uyghur literature worldwide and defend freedom of expression for Uyghur writers and artists. After deliberation, the official election was conducted. Aziz Isa Elkun was unanimously elected as president of the Uyghur PEN Center. Subsequent elections for key leadership roles were also held. Alisher Khalilov was unanimously elected Secretary General, while Dr. Hakimjan Guliyev, a Doctor of Arts and acclaimed artist, was chosen as Chairman of the Executive Committee. The new Executive Committee members of the Board include […]
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