Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Shameela, the Editor-In-Chief of FemAsia, is an artivist and PhD researcher in Media and Cultural Studies.. Now residing in England, she carries a deep nostalgia for her homeland, Sri Lanka, which echoes through her writing and Art. Through her research and creative work, she explores the intersections of art, identity, and activism, shedding light on underrepresented voices.

Fictional Arts·Literature

Unbuttoned Time

At fivemy feet did not touch the floor.The rocking chair kept meafloat. Nothing chased me.Time sat nearby,unbuttoned,watching dust learn sunlight. The world arrivedat a size I could hold.A day bent easily,slid into my palms,and stayed. Now my son countspast his hands.Six arrivesalready

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – No Seat, Bring a Folding Chair

I was attending an online presentation. My tea sat beside the PC, cooling into that faint bitter smell it gets when I forget it’s there. As I began answering a question, I found myself, despite no external interruption, feeling that I was

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature·Poetry

The Cat Beneath My Skin

Some nights,I hear him walking inside my ribcage,tail brushing the wet bone.He curls beside my heart,kneading ituntil it leaks to the dreams I have been hiding from.When I wakeMy pulse smells faintly of ashand jasmine.I never owned a cat.

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature·Poetry

When I Return, Will My Home Know Me?

When I return again,I will forget which cornerI buried my memories…which crack in the wall held my laughter,which soap smelled like my mother. I will knock before entering my own past. Because exile isn’t always forced.Sometimes, it’s chosen. But the ache?The ache

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature·Storytelling

Deep Sea Green Eyes

In the heart of this sprawling city, where the neon lights flicker like distant stars in an urban galaxy, there exists a place that dances on the boundary between reality and dreams, the Bull Ring. Standing sentinel in the pulsating core of

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Celebrating Amidst Challenges

This year, we’re honoured to share that FemAsia Magazine has been shortlisted for the Asian Media Awards 2024. We acknowledge the journey we’ve taken together, the writers, readers and all who share our vision. The journey has not always been easy. From

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – The Hunger to Belong

The Tangled Roots of Identity “In all of us, there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage – to know who we are and where we came from.” Alex Haley As I watch my young son grow in a

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – The Importance of Self-Care and Nostalgia

As I sit here typing this note, I am struck by the ephemeral nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. It is easy to get caught up in the routine of daily life and forget to take

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Cuisines·Food & Travel

Warm Soups to the Soul from Around the World

Soups are a comforting and satisfying food that can be especially appealing during cold days. There are several reasons why soups are a great option during cold weather. Warmth: One of the most apparent reasons soups are a great option during cold

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Social Media and Digital Burnout

Social media can play a significant role in the creation of identity and alternative narratives. They provide a platform for individuals to present themselves to the world and to connect with like-minded people. Creating content for social media can be

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature

Anar’s Leaving and the Female Soul

My poetry is about that fire known as language, which a woman carries under water. Anar Anar’s voice is distinct in the arena of contemporary Tamil poetry. Hailing from Sainthemaruthu, Eastern Sri Lanka, Anar’s poems has a mesmerising allure. Anar’s poems are

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Aching for a Miracle

No one enjoys their morning cup of tea or egg hoppers in Sri Lanka. Instead, many Sri Lankans stand in line at gas stations, hoping they can get enough fuel to make it through another day. The country has

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature

Saris Smelling of Naphthalene Balls and Vappumma

The year was 2012. Exams were near. The day after was our exam. My sister and I locked ourselves up in a room and sat with cups of half-drunk tea and notes for the exam. It was past midnight. Umma, tired of

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Cyberbullying and Digital Harassment – Editor’s Note

1. Rania is a 35-year-old woman who recently divorced her abusive husband. Despite the end of their marriage, Rania’s ex-husband continued to harass and intimidate her through social media and other online platforms. Rania’s ex-husband would send her threatening messages and post

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Drink Your Tea Slowly

2021 is a challenging year. While much of my time this year has been spent on parenting, I have continued to work hard on many other humanitarian projects. Today, FemAsia Magazine reaches about 50,000 readers worldwide, with the support of its new

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Close Your Ears And Listen.

‘We do not listen as we used to’ is a complaint we often hear, especially in this era of advancing technology. In my adolescent years, my father always said to Listen attentively before responding. When I conduct sessions for

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – She Transforms Technology

I believe in empowerment and specifically female empowerment. Despite the progress in women empowerment over the years, women find themselves unable to own their voice across the world. This is because/the discriminatory laws and social norms remain unchanged even today.

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Pandemic, Women And Hope

♥ Story 01 It is at 3 am. Reem’s fingers busy typing the report on her laptop. The deadline is tomorrow. A mother’s schedule is unpredictable. Her 6 months old baby and the household work keep her busy during

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature

The Aroma Of Belonging

The pale yellow Of the wheat field Is stretched out beyond eyesight Poppy blooms in enflamed crimson Skirts along the curved footpath The glistening sunbeams soak my face with warmth Like steamed sweetcorn on a pouring rainy day. The sun has

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Art, Activism And Personal Healing

The word ‘Art’ covers a broader spectrum of various creative endeavours. It ranges from Painting, Poetry and Music to Drama, Sewing and sculpting. I think painting is a unique language you use to communicate with others. It expresses the idea

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Minimalism Is An Attitude

Minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom. Freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around. Real freedom. Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus My interest in Minimalism is not a recent

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature

Wild Cherry Tree And A Squirrel

I feel numb broken and lifeless I lay still in bed My legs have turned into large trunks of a wild cherry tree My room feels snug and safe The dark drapes of curtains of plush mauve are half-drawn to

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – If We Live Through To Tell The Story.

2020 seemed to be a very promising year. Everyone was making new plans. Then, COVID-19 pandemic struck. It hit us when we least expected. It was sudden and unprecedented. We slept in one world and woke up in an entirely

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editors Note – 2020 Once Dreamt Future Unfolding

When I was growing into adolescence from childhood, my dreams started to shift as well. From an ardent longing to fly from mountains to paddy fields, I began to think about robots doing my homework and booking holidays in the

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature

Vanni: A Graphic Novel To Remember

Vanni: A Family’s Struggle Through the Sri Lankan Conflict – A Novel by Benjamin Dix and Lindsay Pollock “The full story of the 2009 war in Sri Lanka has largely been ignored by the global press and international society. This

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – The Culture Of Harassment And Sadism

The Ugly Topic Of Ragging The ugly topic of Ragging once again came into the limelight after a video went viral on social media recently. A bunch of new students from a reputed university in Sri Lanka

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – British Muslim Women And Their New Identities.

Last month I found myself composing a project proposal on British Muslim women and their new identities. I was shortlisted for the project and called in for an interview. The proposal outlined the emergence of British Muslim women with new

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Cinema & Theater·Fictional Arts

Beyond The Clouds-Majid Majidi’s Poignant Story

There’s something magical about Beyond the Clouds, an exquisite yet obnoxious Indian-set movie. Majid Majidi is an Iranian film director whose poignant stories have never failed to evoke the deeper feelings of the viewers. Along with Abbas Kiarostami and Mohsen

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Women, Empathy and Strength

“When a woman thinks she is nothing, the little sparrows cry. Who can defend them on the terrace, if no one has the vision of a world without slingshots?” ― Fatima Mernissi Women through the

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Cinema & Theater·Fictional Arts

Stories Of Vulnerability And Strength

Human Rights Watch Film Festival 2019 Through A Woman’s Eye The Human Rights Watch Film Festival showcased some exceptional documentary and feature films in London, from March 13th to 22nd, 2019. The international listing included poignant stories from across the world: from

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Multiplicity Of Voices

FemAsia steps into a brand new year spreading its wings, soaring the sky, reaching new heights! We, at FemAsia, are really excited and committed to bringing more intense and thought-provoking content this year. I take this opportunity to thank our readers across

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature

My Little Singing Bird

My little singing bird Wherever I go I carry it within me Or rather it sits fluttering in my being As I sit down at my desk to dream away It takes me above the valleys of Anatolia Orange groves Strawberry

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

The Coconut Story -Editor’s Note

I was in Sri Lanka last month; The country of coconuts. I can not help compressing a smile which peeps out of my lips. Coconut in Tamil we call Thenga.In our locality, Thenga Thanni, or coconut water is used to refer

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature

A Sweet Thunder And A Pouring Rain

You walked into my dream Without knocking at the door You touched me with a swift glance My body melted like ice in volcanic fire You knelt down by my river To drink its water Every sip you took Another river

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Holistic Health

Depression And Relationships: How To Support Your Partner

Lost in the sea Blinded by mist Nowhere to go And always alone I lost all hope But nobody knows This secret inside Will make me subside There’s a hole in my soul That grows more and more As time passes

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Thousand And One Nights

I was searching for some images online, for an article on Muslim Women. It came as no surprise for me that I could not find a proper image. Instead, hundreds of pictures of burka-clad women covered in black from head

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature

Unseen Galaxy

Amid the hurriedness and haste there lazes stillness, motionless and chaste In an unseen galaxy of a trifling territory It is but a forgotten keyhole of a lost realm As you step within spreads out a Universe trimming your dream bundle

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature

I Am An Old Soul.

Breeze of autumn swooshes the leaves, The world gushes forth fast and furious. As I sit in a solemn wooden chair, Resting my neck in a wine red cushion By my window, lacy white curtains pushed aside Sun sets behind the cedars

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Freedom Of Choice

In early March this year, I was invited to present a research paper at a conference in Istanbul, Turkey. “I’ve never left Istanbul, never left the houses, streets, and neighbourhoods of my childhood,” says Orhan Pamuk in his Memories and the City.

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

7 Sumptuous Rice Dishes Around The World

Rice plays a significant cultural role throughout many countries around the globe. It’s also the most popular grain consumed by people across Asia. There are more than 40,000 varieties of rice, and they vary in length shape, colour, and size. FemAsia

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Editor's Note·Empowerment

Editor’s Note – Talking About The Untalked

I take great pleasure in inviting you all to the very first edition of FemAsia Magazine. I am more than delighted, excited, and elated to see the Launch of FemAsia. Some time ago, I did a painting, acrylic on canvas. Imagine,

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Fictional Arts·Literature

Sipping The Moon

Amid the limbs of Burning up birch trees, Blazes the crimson sun clock I return home, Doves are fluttering away from my fingers… One blend of yellow and white… An attic pigeon sequinned with beads… A bird with eyes kohled

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali

Tale of Tea Around The World

“If you are cold, tea will warm you; If you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are depressed, it will cheer you; If you are excited, it will calm you.” William Ewart Gladstone Tea is strongly

by Shameela Yoosuf Ali