Bringing the stars home: Saudi pioneer Reyam Alahmadi launches Astrophile to make space science local
Assalamu alaikum - Reyam Alahmadi, a 25-year-old from Madinah, has started Astrophile, the first Arabic astronomy magazine in the Kingdom, aiming to make space science approachable and relevant for Arabs. What began as a personal love for the heavens turned into a mission to revive Arab contributions to astronomy and give young people the tools and language to reconnect with that heritage.
She noticed there wasn’t a single comprehensive Arabic source for astronomy, which created gaps and misunderstandings about space. Astrophile doesn’t just copy foreign science news; it rethinks how to speak about science for Arabic readers - through stories, clear visuals, and learning resources that feel both modern and rooted in our culture.
Reyam prefers to explain things simply, without drowning readers in formulas, so anyone can feel the wonder of the universe. In a region where STEM can seem distant, her approach links the emotional and intellectual sides of learning and turns astronomy into a shared cultural interest.
For her, Astrophile is part of reclaiming the Arab world’s historical role in astronomy - from the scholars who mapped the skies to today’s learners and innovators. Publishing in Arabic (and English) helps bridge regional and global audiences and reminds young Saudis and Arabs that science is part of their own story.
One big challenge has been language: some technical terms don’t have established Arabic equivalents, especially in areas like rockets or engineering. That’s pushed her team to invent and adapt terminology carefully so accuracy isn’t lost. In that sense they’re exploring space and language at the same time.
In a few years, Astrophile has moved from a passion project to a trusted source for students, teachers, and media looking for reliable Arabic coverage of topics like the James Webb Telescope, Artemis missions, and Saudi astronaut efforts. Reyam hopes the magazine becomes a go-to reference for Arabic-speaking space enthusiasts and inspires a generation to see space as part of their world.
Her work highlights how women in Saudi Arabia are shaping science communication, and reflects wider changes in the Kingdom where youth-led initiatives blend research, creativity, and public engagement. She credits Vision 2030 with opening space to dream bigger and showing Saudi youth they can lead global discussions.
Looking ahead, she plans to grow Astrophile into a regional hub with digital media, workshops, and storytelling, with the long-term aim of making Arabic a language of discovery again. As she says, science belongs to everyone, and when it’s told in our own language we don’t just understand it-we own it.
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