Speaking tomorrow at the University of Pennsylvania on Media Makers in Exile.
If you’re nearby, come join.

#MediaMakersInExile #UPenn #Journalism

On Oct 28, 2025, I dreamed I was back in Kashgar, meeting my oldest brother, Adil.
When I woke, I was on my way to New York for the Elie Wiesel Ethics Prize event.
Every dream of home carries the same omen: Chinese police are tormenting someone I love. Hands off my brother.

Today I finished the Marine Corps Marathon for the second time — my first was in 2023 on my 44th birthday, and this one, three days before turning 46.

Running reminds me why I write: to keep going, no matter what.
🎗Support my memoir project: fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/good-that-mo...
#Uyghur

Today I walked out of VOA for the last time.
After 6 years, 300+ stories, and launching its first Uyghur program, I leave with pride.
China jailed 5 former colleagues for having worked with me in the past.
Now I carry on through Uyghur Monitor—a new chapter in independent reporting.
#Uyghur #VOA

February 2017 — I stood with Ablajan Awut Ayup at our Atlan Talk event in Urumqi. A Uyghur pop icon who inspired a generation. In 2018, he disappeared into China’s internment system. No trial. No word. Still missing. His voice lifted us. His silence haunts us.
#AblajanAwutAyup #Uyghur #Disappeared

Grateful for the opportunity to spend a week at Ohio University as a Kiplinger Fellow in Public Affairs Journalism, exploring the impact of AI in journalism alongside an inspiring group of fellow journalists.