Article
Background
Over the last few years, more attention has been given to racism and discrimination as systematic problems stemming from a history filled with narcissistic quests and dehumanizing practices and philosophies. So far, there have been many great initiatives raising awareness about the violence of our colonial past and its effects on the present. However, society seems to be stuck in a loop, searching for a way to move from merely addressing that violence to transforming it.
As an MA International Relations & Security graduate, Habiba familiarized herself most with decolonial theory. As a Muslim, Black, Female, Somali diaspora, this gravitation was natural as the theory intersected with her own lived experiences. Nearing the end of her studies, she realized that decolonizing is an endless quest and that the focus should now be on transforming violent structures, which she addresses in her thesis.
Approach & Methodology
To move away from the hegemonic position of Western knowledge, modes of learning, methods, narratives, practices, and ways of being, Habiba believes that a space should be cultivated in which universal alternatives are provided that hold the power to transform our ways of being, societies, and relations. Platform ṭahāra aims to take a leap towards transformation through mostly educational activities with the hope of fostering a society in which humbleness becomes the new norm.
Impact
This Action Project has three main objectives:
- To spread under-highlighted knowledge
- To foster humbleness
- To inspire transformation
Next Steps
Platform ṭahāra’s primary location for offline activities will be in the Netherlands. To support and keep an eye out for online activities, you can follow the Instagram page @platformtahara.