The Arabic word حَوِّل (Hawwil) translates to “transmit” or “relay,” symbolizing the transfer of knowledge and ideas from one person to another. It also conveys the notion of redirection—encountering new knowledge that can transform one’s creative journey. This openness to share and receive information fosters a dynamic relationship within the community, enabling a network of individuals to grow and push each other further.  

This concept of shared knowledge is deeply rooted in Islamic principles. In Islam, knowledge is viewed as a trust (amānah) meant to benefit all. Pursuing and preserving the chain of knowledge uplifts individuals who contribute to the community’s public good. As Ibn Rushd, the Andalusian polymath, stated: “Knowledge is just, for it cannot be granted to one and withheld from another.”   

However, in today’s capitalist structures, it is often gated—locked behind paywalls and patents—and the open model is no longer central. Tasmeem Transmit seeks to showcase the possibilities that arise from embracing creative commons principles. It highlights the role and efforts of archives, libraries, and communities as essential public resources for re-establishing the chain of knowledge.  

Knowledge transforms through sharing; it is passed down, rediscovered, and enriched across generations. Similarly, art and design are ongoing processes where each new creation builds on what has come before. As a creative community, what can we gain by embracing openness again? How much further can we grow if we share, learn, and create together, making knowledge and processes accessible to all?