Description of the project: In the largest scheme of things we use self-empowered grassroots practices as means of decolonisation. We gather people from ANY origins to find new ways of exercising individual and collective liberation. By creating situations of mutual empowerment, through collaborations, conversations, and disseminating ideas with engaged individuals, we continue to grow our global web of plurality. This web acts as a collection of supportive resources that is continuously transforming, growing, and exchanging initiations to mobilise self and surroundings.

Astrolabe de Mariem was born during and after the first wave of the pandemic. The idea came from the need to mobilize to counteract the current structures, systems, and institutions of the world that offer no true support or stability to the majority of the global population. This need became evermore urgent when the pandemic appeared and a new normal was enforced on people globally, yet of course to varying degrees of destructivity. Then arose a new question as the pandemic drew on: what now? And would a return to previous normality be even more destructive than the new normal we were all forced under?

Astrolabe de Mariem was founded by two women who both grew up in colonized Palestine. The organization is named after a woman who lived in what is now modern day Syria-- Astrolabe de Mariem was created to provide resources, visibility, and a platform for people like us who are not given equal visibility with the ‘white man’ and those in his clan. On the naming of the organization:

“Mariam Al-‘Ijliya lived and practiced astronomy and engineering around the 10th century (1000 AD) in Syria. Mariam was the one to develop these principles into the complex astrolabe-- leading her to be known as Mariam Al Astrolabi. She is recognized by many as the creator of the most basic version of the modern day GPS system by creating a computer that tracks one’s observation, location, time and date. Sadly, she remains unrecognized by many biographies and western historical transcriptions of the instrument’s history and development.”

Realistically, this experience of dispossession and historical exclusion is not limited to Mariam. Over the course of history countless women and especially women of color have been discredited of their work or contributions within any given professional field. This is due to predominant patriarchal and white-supremist culture that is systematically enhanced by capitalist power structures that further keep it in place. Once this reality is realized, one can attempt to seek measures to deconstruct it. This is the agenda we as a collective community adopt, furthermore, the Astrolabe de Mariem will commit to creating discourse to reconstruct in its place a reality that serves our sustainability. This agenda is what will carry us forward as a community and collective.”

While coming into the process of constructing the organization, system, and community we idealise and imagine, we realised a strength given our diversity in background. One of us came from a background of politics, while the other was pursuing a career in the arts. While we both had past backgrounds of social activism in different ways, our ways of expression and paths of pursuit were very different. We connected with people from all backgrounds, no matter if they practice psychology, small business, social organization, art of different mediums, economics, science.... In an effort to combine expertise to reach a new level of connective understanding.

“We come together to take our narrative into our own hands, many of us from vulnerable communities that have been marginalized and neglected. Therefore, we generate media, projects, research and discourse that are in line with and support our idea of a better world. Our idea for a better world revolves around prioritizing communication to bring people together and critical analysis to help our society evolve. As we create, we ask ourselves the questions: ‘In what positions do we currently find ourselves, as individuals in context?’ and ‘How can we contribute in ways that empower us and represent us authentically?’ Our viewpoint is inclusive.... Here you might find inspiration for your work, collaborators who share your sentiment, or simply meet new allies...”

We continue by asking what are our hopes for the future? On the systemic level of the organization this means:

“In addition to our virtual platform, we aim to establish a cultural center in Paris that will be the ground base of these projects and a resource for people in and outside of Paris to make their ideas a reality. Many of us have found that in order to find professional opportunities in our fields, we would have to bargain with our fundamental principles and dignity. Thus, we are taking the initiative to build a space where we can be constructively represented by ourselves. We aim to be a referenceable source for information and resources that concern our identities and histories, to take back power from the few wealthy entities that control today's economy, and sustain ourselves and our authentic identity.”

On our virtual platform, since our launch in the middle of the pandemic, we have utilized social media to publish conceptual depictions of our reality. By combining photography with collage of pictures and images, with writings on specific yet various topics of interest and sharing of perspectives, Astrolabe started producing various kinds of media that reflect by nature of who produces them, the political or social context of the creator. The intention of this is to utilize the power of art as propaganda, as it subconsciously infuses new ideas into the observer’s understanding of the world. And also, to reach a community wide enough in which we are able to make a difference. Astrolabe was always meant to be a social as well as cultural organization. By providing spaces and credibility to refugees and migrants of different backgrounds, we intend to diversify the field of credible practitioners in as many areas of expertise as possible, while providing accessible, non censored, anti-elitist information.

The physical space we hope to acquire will allow us to provide a further resource to our community. It will be a place where workshops, performances, events, discussions, and social interaction of all kinds can flourish. It aims to be uncontrolled by any government, donor, or institution, yet internally controlled by the collective of the community. We adopt a horizontal structure, inspired by a healthy ecosystem. We as a collective are born out of the necessity to transcend the racialized, gendered, and capitalist violence we have been victims of for too long. By creating new opportunities for ourselves within our context, we create opportunities for others.

This text was written by Jassi Murad and the photos were edited by Aseel Al Deek who are the co-founders of Astrolabe de Mariem. Further images and videos, and writing are available upon request.