Tadamun Manifesto
Tadamun means solidarity in Arabic, and we believe that solidarity is not just a state of mind, but a radical practice that enables us to strive for a better world - one where we can live unapologetically and authentically as we are, free from judgment and pressure to conform. This is why we have decided to create a space where we, people like us, and others who need it, can find understanding, support, and community.
Who We Are
We are a group of friends from South-West Asia and North Africa and locals from the Czech Republic with deep connections to the Arab-speaking region. We’ve been brought together by our personal experience with feeling misunderstood and out of place, driven by a sense of urgency as we have watched the alarming rate of rising xenophobia, Islamophobia, discrimination and prejudice targeting various marginalized communities.
This worrying trend is nourished by politicians and media who feed into the spread of racism and violence against people of color by misrepresenting and silencing us. The dehumanization that we witness makes it possible for state actors to justify atrocities especially against some of the most vulnerable groups, whether fleeing the region in hopes of a better life, or those fighting for their freedom and liberation back home. With Tadamun, we aim to reclaim space in the public discourse, challenge the mainstream narrative and push back against dehumanization by bringing our culture, art, politics, traditions and complexities of life closer to the local population.
What We Do
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Building Safer Spaces
Our aim is simple: to create a space where people of color and migrants in the Czech Republic, especially those from the South-West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region, can feel at home. Tadamun is a place free from the everpresent expectation of racism or judgment, where we protect each other from the external pressures to constantly explain ourselves, conform, or defend our identities. Our hope is that a space where we don’t have to justify our existence will naturally foster a community that is welcoming and comfortable for other marginalized groups and provides a little get away from capitalism and individualism.
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Real Cultural Exchange
We believe in sharing our cultures on our terms, without the exotic, orientalist lens that often distorts them. Tadamun is about showing the Czech community the depth and variety of SWANA cultures - not as curiosities but rather as living, evolving traditions. We want to bring artists, musicians, and thinkers from our region to engage in genuine dialogue where our stories and experiences are respected, not sensationalized.
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Supporting Our Own
Life in a new country can be tough. We know this firsthand. That’s why Tadamun is dedicated to offering support to migrants from the Arabic-speaking world and the broader region. Whether it’s language courses that don’t feel like a burden, or programs for children that make them feel seen and valued, we’re here to make life a little easier. Migration has always been a part of our societies and it is a human right. We don’t offer charity; we offer solidarity and tools for empowerment.
Our Principles
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Solidarity in Action: We believe in supporting each other, lifting each other up and providing mutual aid free from the constraints of the systems that have kept us down.
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Respect and Dignity: We reject all forms of racism and discrimination. Our space is built on the idea that everyone deserves respect, and that dignity is non-negotiable. Our practices are informed by our decolonial mindset and non-violent communication in order to foster empathy and compassion within our community.
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Authentic Representation: We’re tired of seeing our cultures misrepresented. At Tadamun, we’re committed to presenting our stories, art, and traditions as they are - real, complex, and not for sale.
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Empowerment, Not Pity: We know what it’s like to be patronized, to have your struggles turned into someone else’s project. Our goal is to empower each other, to share knowledge and resources in a way that respects everyone’s agency.
Join Us
Tadamun is not just an organization - it’s a community. We’re not here to impose, but to build something together. We invite anyone who shares our vision to join us. This is our shared space, our home, and we are excited for you to be a part of it.