MUHAMMAD FARHAN BIN OSMAN – ROHINGYA | THAIPUSAM

MUHAMMAD FARHAN BIN OSMAN | ROHINGYA

ROHINGYA is a photo essay that represents the reality of Rohingya children in the refugee camps.
In August 2017, violence erupted in Rakhine State in Myanmar, targeting the Rohingya people,
a stateless Muslim minority.
More than half a million people fled to Bangladesh, triggering one of the fastest-growing humanitarian crises in the world.
An estimated 700,000 Rohingya has been driven into Bangladesh as of June 2018. Over half of them are children. We specifically used photography as a medium to transcend more than just sensitivity and emotions, but also capture moments from a first-hand perspective.
Living conditions in the camps are not something that these children should be facing. It unfolds the battles of daily life and existence faced by these young refugees, especially.

MUHAMMAD FARHAN BIN OSMAN

MUHAMMAD FARHAN BIN OSMAN is a self-taught Singapore based, independent, award-winning documentary photographer. He specializes in raw photojournalism. Actively documenting social issues, refugee camps, and post-disaster areas. Black and white photography is his forte, and he still occasionally shoots in color.

THAIPUSAM

THAIPUSAM, a festival practiced by the Hindu community here in Singapore, of all castes and cultures to show their appreciation to one of their Gods, Lord Murugan, a son of Shiva.
This photo essay was done from the start of the day to the end of the process, giving an insight view of the whole procession.
The day starts at 2 AM, with the preparation of the individuals (personal praying, cleansing, and checking on the equipment). After that, we proceeded to Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple (Serangoon Road) in a 24-footer truck to prepare for the procession. At the temple is where the piercing and other preparations were done.
From there, the devotees will walk for about 6km with their Kavadis and Chariots to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple (Tank Road), where prayers and milk offerings will be made before the end of the procession.

See the full article on Lens Magazine Issue #66