Dear friends and supporters,

As we celebrate the seventh anniversary of Ideas Beyond Borders, I am reminded of the critical juncture at which we stand—a crossroads not simply defined by good and evil, far-right or far-left, but rather as a profound battle between sanity and insanity. At IBB, we are and have always been driven by the stalwart belief that ideas have the capacity to change the world. This north star guides us as we fight extremism and polarization not only in the Middle East but also here at home in the United States, steadfastly rejecting the divisive snares of cultural warfare.

Our work goes beyond a battle of ideas and gets to the root cause of the conflicts in the Middle East we are witnessing unfold today. I believe, despite what you may see on the news, that these issues are indeed solvable. That the region can one day become a place that people want to visit rather than escape from. By working directly with people on the ground, we have an intimate understanding of what is truly needed to inspire lasting change—and how to empower locals to bring that prosperous reality to fruition.

Our mission is more vital now than ever, rooted in principles that champion human dignity, individual rights, free speech, and free markets. These are not just abstract ideals; they are the bedrock of who we are and what we do. We don’t just talk about ideas. We get stuff done. Through projects like the House of Wisdom 2.0, the largest classical liberal platform in the region, which now engages over 8.5 million subscribers, and our Innovation Hub, which has already supported 200 startups, we are laying down the foundation—brick by brick—for a future upheld by knowledge, freedom, and ingenuity.

Why continue our work as the region seems to be freefalling into chaos? Because our way works, and we can prove it. IBB is reimagining international development by equipping populations with the resources and skills necessary to become self-sufficient in the long term and reduce dependency on external aid. Negative perceptions of the Middle East don’t change the fact that the average, everyday citizens in these countries are hungry for a positive alternative. We are here to give it to them and to, one day, cease to exist once our work is done.

Your support and belief in our cause are what sustain these efforts. As we reflect on our journey thus far and look to the future, the choice is clear—we can either double down on our commitment to deradicalization and sustainable development or step back at a time when our resolve is needed most. I believe in our collective power to forge ahead, creating pathways that lead not just to survival, but to thriving communities across the Middle East and beyond.

Thank you for standing with us.

Yours,

Faisal al Mutar
Founder and President, Ideas Beyond Borders