Author Aaima Azhar’s Journey Through Grief and Healing in Poetry and Film
Spoken word poet, filmmaker, and writer Aaima Azhar weaves her art across various mediums, driven by a deep sense of connection and a compelling desire to share stories. Her work not only expresses her emotions but also resonates with the hearts of others.
WURUUD: Could you talk about how you got started writing poetry?
Aaima: Honestly, I’ve been writing poetry since I was seven. I don’t remember what grade 3 Aaima was going through, but I found the freedom of expression in poetry to be boundless. I could be creative and do whatever I wanted with it. I got into spoken word poetry a bit later, around high school, and fell in love with performance—bringing a piece to life through the way I speak it, how I connect with the crowd and the way they connect back with me.
Did you have any specific influences growing up? Poets or not.
The first spoken word poet who inspired me was Ahmed Knowmadic, an Edmontonian spoken word artist who visited my school. I was amazed and thought, “Wow, this is so cool. I want to do this.” Later, I met Timiro, an incredible poet from Edmonton, whose delivery also inspired me. Among poets and poetry books, I love Nayyirah Waheed’s work and Warsan Shire. I find inspiration everywhere.
How did your upbringing inspire your art?
I started off writing a lot about my identity as a Pakistani-Muslim-Canadian girl and the intersectionalities of my experience living here. As cliché as it sounds, the diaspora has significantly influenced my work, especially when I was younger. It’s about exploring marginalization and putting those experiences into words in a beautiful way. I also draw inspiration from the experiences of those around me who come from different cultures, seeing the similarities in pain and beauty that shape my work.
How would you describe your creative energy?
The main aspect of my creative energy is the raw emotion and experiences that go into creating my work. I aim to convey the background, the pain, joy, and love in every piece of art, every poem, and every film I create. I want my work to feel real and raw, to touch people deeply, and to help them realize that there is love in every experience.
How does Islam find its way into your art?
As my relationship with my faith has evolved, I see it reflected in my work. My poetry often includes references to Allah and divinity, drawing inspiration from stories of the prophets or ayahs of the Quran. Integrating these elements into my poetry feels both beautiful and emotional. Recently, I worked on a film called Khalil with my friend Ijlal and my sister Zainab, based on a poem about friendship and the grieving process, connecting it to loving someone for the sake of Allah.
Could you talk more about your experience making that film?
It began with my friend Ijlal and me experimenting with my poetry and his cinematography. With my sister’s directing and screenwriting, we created our first film, Mahajar, in 2019, which explored the experience of an immigrant second-generation child in the diaspora and won Best Film at the Mosquers Film Fest. Encouraged by that success, we later created Khalil, which delves into grief and mourning relationships that aren’t romantic but still significant.
Are there any other projects you’re working on?
Currently, I am working with IFSSA, a non-profit in Edmonton, as the editor and event planner for Roots on 6, a digital storytelling platform. We focus on putting multi-generational, newcomer, refugee, and Indigenous voices into conversation. I’ve created an online zine of poetry and art on cultivating and beautifying our relationship with the land am organizing events to provide healing spaces for sharing poetry and art through visual workshops. Additionally, I am excited to announce the publication of my debut poetry collection, A Thing With Teeth.
Aaima Azhar’s work is a vivid tapestry of raw emotion, cultural exploration, and spiritual introspection. Her debut collection, A Thing With Teeth, stands as a testament to her ability to translate personal and universal experiences into evocative poetry.
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