Muslims to Follow: Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan
If words could shake the world, Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan would be causing earthquakes.
A poet, educator, and unapologetic disruptor of mainstream narratives, Suhaiymah doesn’t just write – she dismantles, rebuilds, and reclaims.
From her viral spoken word piece This Is Not a Humanising Poem to her tireless activism challenging Islamophobia, racism, and state violence, she’s a force to be reckoned with. Whether on stage, in classrooms, or through her writing, she refuses to let others define Muslims on their terms.
If you don’t already know her, it’s time to change that.
Written for the Muslims to Follow series in Ramadan 2025
Who is Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan?
Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan is a British-Pakistani poet, writer, and educator known for her bold and unfiltered critique of power structures.
She studied History and Postcolonial Studies at Cambridge and SOAS, but learned her most valuable lessons through lived experience—navigating a world that constantly puts Muslims on trial for their own humanity.
Her poetry and activism intertwine as she tackles decolonial thought, race, gender, and Islamophobia head-on.
Her rise to prominence came in 2017 when she performed This Is Not a Humanising Poem at the The Last Word Festival poetry slam.
The performance, which rejects the idea that Muslims need to be palatable or ‘relatable’ to be seen as worthy of life, went viral – resonating with people across the world.
Since then, she has continued to challenge mainstream narratives, refusing to water down her words for anyone’s comfort.
Why She’s a Must-Follow
She Challenges the Narrative
Suhaiymah refuses to play the game of respectability politics. She exposes how Muslims are often expected to ‘prove’ their worth – whether by being patriotic, successful, or ‘moderate’ – and rejects these conditions outright.
Her work calls out the racism embedded in media, politics, and everyday life, urging people to rethink the structures they take for granted.
Poetry That Hits Hard
If you’ve ever seen her perform, you know she doesn’t just read poetry—she delivers it like a punch to the gut.
Her words are raw, urgent, and unapologetic. Poems like This Is Not a Humanising Poem and British Values cut through the noise, forcing listeners to confront uncomfortable truths.
Her style is direct, refusing to soften the blows of reality, making her poetry impossible to ignore.
More Than Just a Poet
While poetry is her most well-known medium, Suhaiymah is also an active educator and organiser. She runs workshops, speaks at events, and works alongside grassroots movements fighting for justice.
Her work extends beyond individual expression – she is committed to collective liberation, challenging the systems that uphold oppression.
She is also an author, with her poetry collection Postcolonial Banter offering a written form of her powerful spoken word performances. The book is filled with poems that challenge racism, Islamophobia, and the pressures placed on Muslims to be ‘acceptable’ in society.
In addition, she contributed to Cut from the Same Cloth?, a collection of essays by British Muslim women dismantling stereotypes and sharing their experiences. Her writing is not just poetry—it’s a call to action.
See one of her most recent books below.
In memoir, vignettes, poetry and essays, Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan records her observations from the stands at the dizzying circus of being seen and unseen… paying attention to what’s on show and what goes undetected.
A Voice for the Marginalised
In a world where Muslim voices are often tokenised or silenced, Suhaiymah refuses to let that happen. She amplifies the struggles of those who are ignored in mainstream discourse, advocating for prisoners, migrants, and those impacted by state violence. Her work isn’t about personal success—it’s about dismantling the structures that continue to harm marginalised communities.
See her interview on Islam Channel:
A Quote to Remember
“If you need me to prove my humanity, I’m not the one who’s not human.”
— This Is Not a Humanising Poem
Where to Find Her Work
- Instagram & Twitter: @thebrownhijabi
- Her Books: Buy From Amazon
- YouTube: Performances of her spoken word pieces
- Podcasts & Essays: Various platforms where she discusses race, gender, and politics
Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan isn’t just a poet – she’s a necessary voice in today’s world. Follow her, listen to her words, and most importantly, take action.
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